Review - - Lady and the Scamp

Lady and the Scamp

by Shana Galen

The Royal Saboteurs - Book 2

Publisher: Shana Galen

Release Date: October 11, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

Willoughby Galloway was born to be an agent for the King and Country. His parents were two of the most celebrated agents of the Napoleonic Wars, but despite his illustrious parentage, Will hasn’t yet distinguished himself in the service of the Crown. He sees the Royal Saboteurs as his chance to show his true abilities and prove he is more than a pale shadow of his parents. When Will is assigned a mission to sabotage an assassin’s efforts to slay young Queen Victoria, the last thing he needs is a distraction. But then he meets the ethereal blond beauty, Lady Averley.

PJ's Thoughts:

Galen's new Royal Saboteurs series continues with another action-packed, suspenseful, and romantic series filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing...and flipping pages. 

I'm enjoying how Galen takes fact and fiction, real people and characters from her imagination, and blends them together to form a story that rings with authenticity and believability. I never reached a point in this book where I could say, "Oh, I'm sure that never happened." Instead, there were several where I felt the need to hit up Google to confirm that events actually did occur. Her writing immerses me into the time and place of her choosing and convinces me everything I'm reading is real. 

The mystery/suspense portion of this book is crafted in such a way that I was never completely sure who the traitor was until close to the reveal. It's always fun when multiple scenarios are still in the mix, with different suspects to keep me on my toes. 

The romance between Will and Emily is a slow burn, allowing time to allay his suspicions and her skepticism. When it finally clicks in, things get steamy but in a way that's organic to their evolving and deepening feelings. I love that Emily isn't at all what Will expects. It's fun to watch her challenge his perceptions as she strengthens her confidence and value. When they finally achieve their HEA, it's a bit unconventional for what is typically expected of historical romance. However, it seems exactly right for this particular couple at this time in their lives. I have hopes, though, that Galen will allow readers to see how their marriage plays out over the years as the series progresses, or perhaps in a series finale epilogue as she did with her Survivors. 

If you enjoy your historical romance sprinkled with danger, mystery, and a mix of fictional characters interacting with real people, give this book a try. It brings history to life in a relatable way while also giving readers the sigh-worthy romance they seek. I will definitely be back for book three!  

Review - - Marooned

Marooned

by Louise Jane Watson

Publisher: Louise Jane Watson

Release Date: September 20, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

A Hollywood actor, a nerdy artist, and the ship's cat are marooned on a deserted island...what could go wrong?

Sunny Evans is a homely, practical girl with thick glasses and a tender heart. On graduating from art college, she is offered a job on a remote South Pacific research station. Being paid to illustrate the flora and fauna of the island, using her exquisite painting skills, is a dream come true. Life hasn't been easy for her in the last few years, but it looks as though her luck is finally changing.

Nicky "Kit" Kitson is one of the biggest names in Hollywood. Voted "The Sexiest Man Alive" for three years running, Kit is beginning to tire of his artificial LA lifestyle. Using the excuse of doing background research for his latest blockbuster, he intends to join the scientific team on the island to get out of the limelight for a while. Something has to change, or he is going to burn out.

The two new island recruits are onboard a supply vessel headed toward the station when a devastating series of explosions wreck the boat and blast Sunny, Kit, and Pinky (the ship's cat) overboard. Kit and Sunny, together with Pinky the cat, have to find a way to work together and survive. But Sunny has lost her glasses, Kit is badly burned, and Pinky has a secret...

PJ's Thoughts:

What a fun book! Louise Jane Watson took some of my favorite romance tropes, sprinkled them with the vibe of my must-watch reality television show, then added in snappy banter, character growth, sweet romance, and a sigh-worthy happily-ever-after to create a book that felt like it had been written just for me. 

I love an opposites attract trope and, boy howdy, did Sunny and Kit fill that bill! These two couldn't have been more different, in looks, interests, financial - and social - status, education and the ability to navigate "real" life. But then Watson stranded them on a deserted island in one of my other favorite tropes - forced proximity - and the results...well, let's just say I had a really hard time putting this book down. 

Forced to fend for themselves, Sunny and Kit were stripped down to the bare essentials (not unlike my favorite reality TV show, Survivor), putting them on an equal playing field. Well, not at first. It's clearly evident that Sunny is much better equipped for their new circumstances. But over time, as they each evolve, master new skills, and reflect more deeply upon their own lives, the dynamic begins to shift as do the initial perceptions each had about the other when they first met. I loved the gradual deepening of their feelings for one another as well as the evening of their island partnership. It's handled so realistically, and believably, with plenty of humor, emotional care, and a few surprises along the way. 

And then there's Pinky, the ship's cat cast into the ocean along with Sunny and Kit. Scrappy, aloof, and hiding a few secrets of her own, she's on a journey that intersects with Sunny's and Kit's in some very interesting ways. If I'm ever stranded on a deserted island, I definitely want a Pinky of my own to help me along the way. 

Marooned is Watson's debut novel and launches her Lost and Found series. I have no idea where she plans to take readers next but I am ready and eager to follow along. This one has my enthusiastic recommendation. 

 

Winner - - October Coming Attractions

 

The randomly chosen winner of 

a package of books is:

Martha Lawson

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review & Giveaway - - Home Sweet Christmas

Home Sweet Christmas

by Susan Mallery

Publisher: HQN

Release Date: October 4, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

With twinkling humor and heartfelt Christmas spirit, two friends find love in a town called Wishing Tree…

Until Camryn Neff can return to her “real” life in Chicago, she’s in Wishing Tree to care for her twin sisters. She’s not looking for forever love, not here. But handsome hotelier Jake Crane is a temptation she can’t resist, so she suggests they pair up for the season. No golden rings, no broken hearts. At his side, she sees her hometown through Christmas-colored eyes. The cheer is cheerier, the joy more joyful. She thought she had put her future on hold…but maybe her real life was here all along, waiting for her to come home.

New in town, River Best is charmed by Wishing Tree’s homespun traditions and warmhearted people. When she’s crowned Snow Queen, she’s honored but wary. Dylan Tucker, her king, seems like the stuff of sugarplum dreams, but she can’t shake the feeling that he’s hiding something big. As they perform their “royal” duties—tasting cookies, lighting trees—Dylan’s good humor and melty kisses draw her to the brink of love. But she can’t let herself fall until she uncovers his secret, even if her lack of faith means losing him forever.

PJ's Thoughts:

Mallery's first Wishing Tree book, The Christmas Wedding Guest, (9/28/21) planted the seed but this year's installment, Home Sweet Christmas, sealed the deal. Wishing Tree is where I want to spend my Christmas holidays and I plan to show up for all the activities! 

I love the community Mallery creates in this book, with the fun traditions, quirky locals, a meddling mama, joyful holiday spirit, and complicated relationships. In this book, she gives us two couples to follow. I found both relationships equally compelling and engaging. Her characters are so realistic...and relatable. These are complex, multi-layered individuals with strengths, weaknesses, baggage to overcome, and flaws just like the rest of us. They could be my friends or neighbors and, honestly, I'd like them to be. Well, maybe all of them except Jake's meddling, matchmaking, take-charge mother. Her heart may be in the right place but that woman scares me. 

Though there are two heart-tugging romances along with a supporting cast, Mallery weaves all of them together into a smoothly-flowing story while still giving each individual character room to evolve. I enjoyed the various relationships that play out along with the romances. Camryn's relationship with her younger sisters is poignant and complex, with a growth arc that touched my heart. I also love the twins' relationship with Jake. And then there's the abandoned pup who, let's face it, steals everyone's hearts, including mine. There are great female friendships and a spot-on friend/chosen family relationship between Jake and Dylan that was one of my favorite parts of the book. 

If you're looking for a heartwarming, hopeful, holiday romance with engaging characters, emotional depth, plenty of humor, family dynamics, self-reflection, and two happily-ever-after couples, all wrapped up with a festive bow, give yourself the gift of Susan Mallery's Home Sweet Christmas. It's a happy holiday delight. 

Though a few characters from the first Wishing Tree book appear in Home Sweet Christmas, both books can be enjoyed on their own without having read the other. If you haven't read The Christmas Wedding Guest yet, check out my 5-star review here. 

Have you read Susan Mallery?

Do you enjoy books with more than one main couple?

Have you read any holiday romances set in a fictional location you'd love to visit?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 12 will receive a print copy of Home Sweet Christmas.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited

Last Chance Winners

 

The following giveaways have not been claimed.

Cherie J

(Vanessa Kelly Giveaway)

Emma

(At Home on Marigold Lane)

Cherie J and Emma, please send your 

full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

no later than 11:00 PM, October 10.

If unclaimed after then, new winners will be chosen.

Winners - - Hope Holloway

 

The randomly chosen winners of 

a print copy of

Sanibel Dreams by Hope Holloway are:

Patricia B

Laurie

Annette N

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Coming Attractions & Giveaway

 

October has arrived! The month of shorter days, cooler nights, beautiful fall colors, Halloween treats (no tricks), and lots of great books. Here's what's happening this month at The Romance Dish.

We're kicking off the month on Tuesday, October 4 with a post and giveaway from author Hope Holloway. Holloway's popular Shellseeker Beach series is set on the real Sanibel Island, off the coast of  Southwest Florida, which suffered devastating effects from last week's Hurricane Ian.

Join Hellie on Wednesday, October 5 when she shares her thoughts about A Cat Cafe Christmas by Codi Gary. Hellie calls this book "PURRFECT" and a "lovely kickoff to the Season." 

Santa's here on Thursday, October 6 to share her thoughts about  Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson. It's a 5-star review for this new rom-com. 

I'm back with a review (and giveaway) of Susan Mallery's Home Sweet Christmas on Monday, October 10. Mallery returns to the town of Wishing Tree with festive holiday events, matchmaking mamas, and a heartwarming, holiday romance for two local couples. 

Shana Galen is back with another action-packed historical romance in her new The Royal Saboteurs series. Join me Wednesday, October 12 for my review of Lady and the Scamp. 

I'll be sharing my thoughts about Marooned, a debut romance by Louise Jane Watson on Tuesday, October 11. This sweet contemporary romantic adventure is perfect for fans of both Hallmark movies and Survivor. 

Just in time for Halloween, don't miss my review of Witchful Thinking by Celestine Martin on Friday, October 21. I'm looking forward to this one!

It's the holiday season in River's Edge and Santa's helper/author Nan Reinhardt has a best-friends-to-lovers romance for grumpy Fire Chief Becker Lange and sunshiny preschool teacher Harley Cole. Stop by Monday, October 17 for my review of The Fireman's Christmas Wish. 

Tuesday, October 18 brings a review of the newest book in Kimberly Kincaid's The Intelligence Unit series. Stop by for my thoughts about The Saint, another emotional, action-packed romantic suspense story from Kincaid.  

I'll be sharing my thoughts about Christi Caldwell's The Duke Alone on Wednesday, October 19. This historical holiday romance with tones of "Home Alone" is an absolute delight. I adored it. 

Reviewer Nancy will be here on Tuesday, October 25 with her review of Nalini Singh's Archangel's Resurrection, a new novel that takes readers back to Singh's popular Guild Hunters world. 

 

We're heading back to Alaska for the second book in Jennifer Snow's Wild Coast, contemporary romance series. Join me on Thursday, October 27 for a review (and giveaway) of Alaska for Christmas. 

Merry Christmas Cowboy! Maisey Yates had me at the title. Stop by on Wednesday, October 26 for my review (and a giveaway) of this second book in Yates' Four Corners Ranch series, sure to be brimming with emotion. 

What are you looking forward to this month? 

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 9 will receive a package of books from my stash. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited

Review - - Love in the Time of Serial Killers

Love in the Time of Serial Killers

by Alicia Thompson

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: August 16, 2022

Reviewed by Santa

Turns out that reading nothing but true crime isn't exactly conducive to modern dating—and one woman is going to have to learn how to give love a chance when she's used to suspecting the worst.
 
PhD candidate Phoebe Walsh has always been obsessed with true crime. She's even analyzing the genre in her dissertation—if she can manage to finish writing it. It's hard to find the time while she spends the summer in Florida, cleaning out her childhood home, dealing with her obnoxiously good-natured younger brother, and grappling with the complicated feelings of mourning a father she hadn't had a relationship with for years.
 
It doesn't help that she's low-key convinced that her new neighbor, Sam Dennings, is a serial killer (he may dress business casual by day, but at night he's clearly up to something). It's not long before Phoebe realizes that Sam might be something much scarier—a genuinely nice guy who can pierce her armor to reach her vulnerable heart.

Santa Says:

Love In the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson is such a great book. It is definitely a five star book! We meet our main characters right away. I don’t know if I would call it a cute meet. I know our heroine, Phoebe would not have thought so. They are temporary neighbors and one of them is a serial killer. Well, not really, but to a sleep deprived, on a dissertation deadline, just moving back to her deceased father's home to empty it person like Phoebe everyone is suspect. Especially handsome, mysterious, too nice to be true guys who could easily pass for Ted Bundy who happens to live right next door. Sam, the neighbor aka The Midnight Mover (her words, not mine) fits every profile she’s ever read, and she’s read them all and watched every true crime, forensic TV show there is. Maybe it is time to step back from her doctoral dissertation on true crime for a bit. 

Let’s clarify a few points. Phoebe is more than just a true crimes aficionado. Her obsession is part of her defense mechanism at letting anyone close to her. Her father’s death brings her back to her childhood home. It wasn’t a particularly happy childhood with her parents fighting and divorcing which tore the family in two. She went to live with her mother. Her brother Conner lived with their father. Weekend visits dwindled away as she grew older. Her parents were angry people and, worst of all, indifferent in their affection to their children.  

She felt all of this deeply. She internalized it all. She lost friendships because of it all. Her brother Conner seems to have worked through it better than she did. He is the sounding board she never knew she needed as they work to clear out the house. 

Sam lives in the house next door. He helps her out from time to time, revealing himself not as one of the many, hilarious serial killer names. He is an elementary school music teacher. Yes, quite the cover. It’s always the nice, quiet ones that end up on America’s Most Wanted, right? Except Sam is more the hot, do it yourself guy you’d find on HGTV! 

Sam finally breaches her defenses but Phoebe still balks at anything that smacks of forever. I really struggled with what I thought was a heartbreaking ending but Alicia’s writing had me at the edge of my seat! There was more - there is always more! I have to say I really enjoyed the banter between characters and there was such a growth of characters. I highly recommend picking up Love in the Time of Serial Killers. I look forward to reading more books by this author, too.

 

Review - - A Cat Café Christmas

A Cat Café Christmas

by Codi Gary

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: October 4, 2022

Reviewed by Hellie

Veterinarian and animal lover Kara Ingalls needs a Christmas miracle. Opening the Meow and Furrever Cat Café to find loving homes for adorable, adoptable cats was a dream come true—but with more cats than customers, it’s quickly turning into a nightmare. If Kara can’t figure out some way to get the café out of the red, it won’t last past the holidays. 

Marketing guru Ben Reese may be annoyingly smart and frustratingly bossy, but when he hatches a plan to put the café in the “green” by Christmas, Kara realizes that she’d be a fool to turn down his help. And so what if he turns out to be an excellent problem solver and nerdy-hot—he can’t even handle fostering one little kitten. She needs to keep their relationship professional and focus on saving the café. 

But if Ben and Kara can set aside their differences—and find homes for all the cats by Christmas—they might discover that, by risking their hearts, they’ll have their own purr-fect holiday . . . together.

 

Hellie’s Heeds 

In a world of dog lovers, I’m a cat person–and this book was a delight from beginning to end. I wanted to adopt and pet every one of the cats “featured” in this book–except Chaos–Chaos can remain with Ben, for the sanity of everybody. Now, being it was a romance with a happily ever after, my favorite happily ever after was all the happily adopted cats at the end of the story, including cats who are more challenging to adopt (i.e. seniors or cats with disabilities.) That just made the story PURRFECT.  

Of course, we’re here for the romance–the grumpy hero and the snarky veterinarian–and they do not disappoint. They both have their own “tragic” pasts that do a number on keeping them apart and wary of each other. Trust is something that definitely has to be earned with these two. They are both very stubborn and it takes some heroic efforts on their mentoring BFFs to turn them around and get them back on the path of happily ever after.  

I was very sympathetic to Ben’s tragic past–and very put out with his family who seemed to constantly be telling him, “Just get over it already and make mom happy again.” (I wanted to shake his mother; but I’m not sure if other readers would feel the same. They might be in the mom’s corner.) Kara’s past was more horrifying, but her friends were more sympathetic on the whole, though there was a point where Kara also needed to “let it go” and trust again.  

The heroine is more on the curvy side, but this is not treated as a plot point. There are a couple scenes where I believe Kara feels that her friend Charity is the more attractive one, et al, but when the hero does show interest in Kara, she doesn’t question it or hide herself (body wise) from him. I only mention this because I’m very used to books featuring characters on the curvier side and the weight being a plot point–so I’m enjoying books now featuring a more varied selection of characters and using other aspects for conflict and growth.  

Now, if you’re a dog lover, I think you’ll still enjoy this book. And knowing dogs as I do, I know they won’t mind you reading a book in which all the animals waiting for their forever home finally find a place to call home–they too enjoy a happy ending. And if you get to enjoy that with a side of steamy kisses and hunky man candy, all the better. This book is so Christmas, it even has a Love Actually airport scene. This book is definitely a lovely kick off to the Season.

 

Hope for Sanibel Island - - Hope Holloway Guest Post & Giveaway

Hi, everyone. This is PJ, writing today about a place that is dear to my heart. Sanibel Island is a beautiful island in the Gulf of Mexico known for its welcoming, laid-back atmosphere, shell-filled beaches, and glorious sunsets. The photo above is of the lighthouse on Sanibel, as it appeared prior to Ian's arrival. Sanibel sits just off Ft. Myers, in Southwest Florida, in the area that last week took the brunt of the devastation from Hurricane Ian. It's an area I know well, having lived in Sarasota for many years. In fact, Captiva Island, at the far tip of Sanibel, is where my late husband and I honeymooned. It's also a region where friends and family still live, several of whom have been personally impacted by Ian's devastating winds and water. Today, I'd like to share a post from author Hope Holloway. If you're a regular here at The Romance Dish, you've read my reviews of the books in Ms. Holloway's Shellseeker Beach series, which is set on Sanibel Island. She not only creates engaging characters and heartwarming stories she also captures the unique atmosphere of Sanibel Island as it was before last Wednesday.   

From Hope Holloway, author of the Shellseeker Beach series

As a writer of stories set on the glorious slice of paradise known as Sanibel Island, my heart is truly broken. I can barely watch the images from the southwest coast of my state, stunned by the total devastation Hurricane Ian caused this week. In particular, Sanibel, which was essentially the site of landfall of this powerful storm, has been rendered uninhabitable.

Like others, I feel helpless at a time when all I want to do is help. Therefore, I have pledged to donate a portion of every book sold in the Shellseeker Beach series to Sanibel Island relief efforts. My goal is to raise $10,000 but who knows? Maybe we can go higher. I am reaching out to the contacts I've made on Sanibel, specifically bookstore owners, to structure a donation that is Sanibel-specific. I am also watching the mayor's communications for updates on the J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge to determine how they are handling donations. The island is closed due to the damaged causeway. But I will reach people, and I will help as I can. I hope you will, too.

If you would like to make a donation to any and all of the thousands of Floridians affected by the storm, I urge you to do so by clicking any of these links, or a charity of your choice.

The Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-ian-donations.html/

The Florida Disaster Fund: https://www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf/

The Salvation Army: https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/

Samaritan’s Purse: https://samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/hurricane-ian/

Global Giving https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-ian-relief-fund/

And if you’d like to donate through Hope Holloway’s sales, you can take a fictional trip to Sanibel Island with the first book in the Shellseeker Beach series. You’ll have to pretend there hasn’t been a hurricane, but I promise an emotional and unforgettable visit. Again, I’m pledging to donate a portion of every sale of every book in the series (digital, paperback, and Kindle Unlimited) directly to Sanibel Island:  https://amzn.to/3SLxLE3

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! For more information and donation updates, visit www.hopeholloway.com

I hope that all of you who are able will consider making a donation, either directly to the agency of your choice or by purchasing one of Hope Holloway's Shellseeker Beach books. Every amount donated, no matter how small, is desperately needed and I am sure will be greatly appreciated by all those - some of whom have lost everything but their lives - who have been impacted by Ian's wrath. 

  

Have any of you been impacted by Hurricane Ian?

Have you ever visited Sanibel Island?

Three people who post a comment before 11:00 PM, October 6 will each receive a print copy of the first book in the Shellseeker Beach series, Sanibel Dreams. 

U.S. only

Must be 18

Void where prohibited

Last Chance Winners - - PJ's Birthday Giveaway

 

The following people have not claimed their giveaway from

PJ's Birthday Celebration:

Kim H

Anita H

Barbara Selman

Please send your full name and mailing address to

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

no later than October 3, 2022.

New winners will be chosen after that date.

Winner - - Vanessa Kelly Giveaway

 

The randomly chosen winner of

the Vanessa Kelly giveaway is:

Cherie J

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Winner - - At Home on Marigold Lane

 

The randomly chosen winner of a

print copy of

At Home on Marigold Lane by Debbie Mason is:

Emma

"I like Debbie Mason books! Thanks for the chance!"

Congratulations, Emma!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com