Tuesday, June 27, 2017

A Bride, A Barn, and A Baby by Nancy Robards Thompson



And the prince wore spurs

A bourbon-tinged evening turns into a night of spur-jangling passion. And wrapped in the arms of hunky cowboy Zane Phillips, Lucy Campbell feels like her dreams have come true all at once! But she knows Zane needs a chance to let their move from friends to lovers sink in. That is, until reality knocks...and Lucy discovers she's pregnant.

This wasn't how Zane imagined daddyhood would happen. And with pretty Lucy...his best friend's little sister! He wants to do right by her and the baby, but Lucy wants the fairy tale, not a marriage of obligation. And while this simple cowboy isn't sure he can measure up as her Prince Charming, the real magic is that he's had her heart all along...

REVIEW

A Bride, A Barn and A Baby by Nancy Robards Thompson is a heartfelt addition to the Celebration, Texas series. The novel features Lucy Campbell and Zane Phillips and explores the true meaning of the word love. The couple were featured in Ms. Thompson’s The Cowboy’s Runaway Bride and I have been patiently waiting for their story!

Wedding planner Lucy Campbell has had a crush on cowboy Zane Campbell for years. Zane is aware of Lucy’s feelings but doesn’t return them- he sees Lucy as a friend. Grieving for his mother, Zane is going through her belongings when Lucy shows up unannounced with dinner and movies. The couple has one too many bourbon- on- the- rocks leading to an unexpected passion- filled evening. The next day Zane gives Lucy the ‘Let’s stay friends” reason why they can’t pursue a relationship.

Six weeks later, Lucy finds out the she is pregnant. Nancy Thompson’s compassionate voice shines during this highly emotional chapter. Lucy wants the fairy tale romance and happily ever after with Zane but, knows in her heart that it not going to happen. Lucy tells Zane that they are going to be parents shortly before he leaves on an important job interview in Florida. Zane returns and announces to Lucy that he’s decided that they are getting married. Lucy understands that it’s a proposal based on obligation, not love, and turns him down.

The conversations between Lucy and Zane are emotional and honest. The author weaves in Zane’s relationship with both of his parents enabling the reader to understand Zane’s perspective and the depth of his grief. Ms. Thompson delicately balances Lucy’s love for Zane and her desire not to trap him into marriage throughout the story.

I loved that Zane listened to Lucy and begins to care for her. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Zane buys paint for the baby’s nursery.
After the kiss, Zane had presented her with two gallons of paint—not just any paint, but the perfect shade of yellow for their baby’s nursery. In some ways, this gesture made her even more inclined to entertain the thought of marrying him. It made her really ponder—what exactly was the meaning of love? How was the best way to declare love? Anyone could say those three little words. He could’ve very well told her exactly what she wanted to hear and she would’ve fallen for it. Because she had already fallen for him.

Zane and Lucy explore the meaning of love in this emotional opposites attract romance. Zane is in the process of accepting the loss of his mother, dealing with the sudden appearance of his father and becoming a parent. Zane communicates his love through actions, not words while Lucy expresses her feelings out loud and is all about the romance. The novel’s conclusion has several surprises for the couple and made me cry!

GREAT ENDING NRT!

A Bride, A Barn, and A Baby is a fabulous small town romance infused with family, friends and love. If you enjoy novels by Emily March, Debbie Mason and Donna Alward—you will love is new novel by Nancy Robards Thompson

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
ARC provided by Author



5 Stars!
★★★★★

Monday, June 26, 2017

Blog Tour for PRIMROSE LANE by Debbie Mason


ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: PRIMROSE LANE           
Author: Debbie Mason
Series: Harmony Harbor, #3
On Sale: June 27, 2017
Publisher: Forever
Mass Market: $7.99 USD
eBook: $5.99 USD

Olivia Davenport has finally gotten her life back together. She's left her painful past behind, started over in a new town, and become Harmony Harbor's most sought-after event planner. But her past catches up to her when Olivia learns that she's now guardian of her ex's young daughter. With her world spinning, Olivia must reconcile her old life with her new one. And she doesn't have time for her new next door neighbor, no matter how handsome he is.

Olivia may act like she's got everything under control, but Dr. Finn Gallagher knows a person in over her head when he sees one. He'd really like to be the shoulder she leans on, but Olivia makes it clear she doesn't want his help. Since he's returned to town, his waiting room has been full of single women feigning illness. Yet the one woman he's interested in is avoiding him. But with a little help from some matchmaking widows and a precocious little girl, Finn might just win Olivia over.

BONUS: The eBook edition includes a complete novel from BookShots Flames, THE MCCULLAGH INN IN MAINE by Jen McLaughlin!

BUY THE BOOK HERE


THE HARMONY HARBOR SERIES

MISTLETOE COTTAGE, #1
CHRISTMAS WITH AN ANGEL, #1.5
STARLIGHT BRIDGE, #2
PRIMROSE LANE, #3


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbie Mason is the USA Today bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series. Her books have been praised for their "likable characters, clever dialogue, and juicy plots" (RT Book Reviews).  When she isn't writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, their four wonderful children, two adorable grandbabies, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella.


FOLLOW FOREVER ONLINE






Debbie Mason’s Primrose Lane is a heartfelt second chance story which features Finn Gallagher and Olivia Davenport. The third novel in the series takes place at Greystone Manor, a hotel located in the coastal community of Harmony Harbor, Massachusetts. The small town setting, the unique characters and the witty and honest dialogue appealed to me and I read the novel in one afternoon.

Debbie Mason provided a few subtle clues about Greystone Manor’s event planner Dana Templeton in the first two Harmony Harbor novels. It seems that Dana is running from something or somebody. This interested me and I couldn’t wait to read her story. In chapter one, it’s revealed that Dana is really Boston socialite Olivia Davenport. Overwhelmed with grief, from the deaths of her son and husband, Olivia has become addicted to painkillers. Despite her substance abuse problem, Olivia is able to function as the manor’s event planner until Dr. Finn Gallagher returns home and uncovers her secret.

At first, I didn’t understand Finn’s harsh attitude towards Olivia. The conversations between the couple were honest, very direct and emotional. Finn was tough with Olivia, he made her own and deal with her feelings. I loved the scene when Finn drives Olivia to Greystone Manor after she almost bought drugs from an undercover policeman. Olivia opens up to Finn about being named guardian of her late husband’s six year old daughter. His compassionate response to Olivia indicated to me that he was starting to care for Olivia.
‘So this is why you haven’t been sleeping and the reason for the panic attacks and self -medicating?” At her reluctant nod, he said. ‘You should have told me. You should have told someone. This isn’t a situation you had to deal with on your own, Liv. You have friends here. People who care about you.”
I became invested in Finn and Olivia’s story, cried as Olivia bravely dealt with her issues, laughed at Simon, Jasper and Colleen’s antics and grew to love Olivia’s step daughter, George. Finn and Olivia learned to trust and forgive each other as they faced several obstacles during the story. Love how the author wove elements from the first two novels into Primrose Lane. Colleen’s ghost, the missing book of secrets and the knowledge that someone is undermining the Gallagher family’s interest in Greystone Manor adds an element of mystery to the series and connects the storylines. The well -paced novel’s conclusion was suspenseful and reminded me that intrigue and secrets are an important part of the small town community of Harmony Harbor.

If you enjoy reading books by Emily March, Robyn Carr and Donna Alward---you will adore Primrose Lane!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by Forever


Thursday, June 22, 2017

A STARDANCE SUMMER - Emily March


Summary:
Return to the beloved small town of Eternity Springs in the newest installment of Emily March’s New York Times bestselling series with A Stardance Summer.

Sometimes the end of one road
Brick Callahan enjoys every minute of chaos at his campground, Stardance Ranch, especially after the Tornado Alleycats arrive for an extended summer stay. The members of the all-female glamorous camping club are primarily seniors—active and adventurous, friendly and fun. But when he discovers Liliana Howe frolicking with the glamping grannies in a late night skinny-dipping session, he fears he's in for a summer of trouble. Because his best friend's kid sister has grown up to be drop-dead gorgeous.
. . .is the start of another

Betrayed by those she trusted, Lili decides she's put her career first for too long. She sells her practical sedan, buys a travel trailer, and heads to Eternity Springs for a summer of rest, relaxation, and reassessment as the newest member of the Alleycats. The last person she expects to find running an RV resort is her high school crush. Their undeniable mutual attraction is a reminder that life is full of surprises. But when the past comes calling, will their summer romance stand the test of time?

Author Bio:

Emily March is the New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, including the critically acclaimed Eternity Springs series. Publishers Weekly calls March a "master of delightful banter," and her heartwarming, emotionally charged stories have been named to Best of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Romance Writers of America. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Emily is an avid fan of Aggie sports and her recipe for jalapeño relish has made her a tailgating legend.
Social Links:
Twitter @emilymarchbooks




Chapter One Excerpt:
Twenty years later
I won’t cry. I absolutely, positively will not cry.
Liliana Howe silently repeated the mantra as she rang the doorbell of her parents’ home in Norman, Oklahoma. She still had a key to the house, but her arms were full with two large white paper bags of her father’s favorite Tex-Mex from the taqueria over by Oklahoma University.
Brian and Stephanie Howe met at home for lunch every day, but it was rare for Lili to join them. She usually worked through lunch. But then, today was not a usual day, was it?
Her father answered the door. His gray eyes rounded in surprise. “Lili? Did we forget a lunch date?”
“No, Dad. I was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d surprise you with lunch from Miguelito’s.”
 “Well, that’s nice.” He opened the screen door. “Come on in. Let me help you with those bags.”
He led her through the house back toward the kitchen. “That smells wonderful. This is a real treat, Liliana. Your mother doesn’t let me have Mexican too often.”
“It’s been too long since I’ve seen you guys.”
They walked into the kitchen to find her mother seated at the table staring intently at her computer. Typical Stephanie Howe. Always working. Without looking up, she said, “Stevenson has the best rating, but—”
“Look who’s here, honey,” Lili’s father interrupted.
Stephanie Howe finally glanced up, her thoughts obviously somewhere else, because she gazed at Lili as if she didn’t recognize her. Lili waved her fingers. “Surprise.”
“Oh.” Stephanie gave her head a little shake. “Lili. Hello. Did we forget a lunch date?”
Inwardly, Lili sighed. “No. I was in the mood for Mexican and I thought of Dad.”
“It’s not good for his cholesterol.”
“No, but once in a blue moon won’t hurt him. Dr. Derek told me that himself.”
She unloaded the bags, setting tacos, cheese enchiladas, refried beans, guacamole, and tortilla chips in the center of the table. Her mother brought plates and silverware from the cabinet. “Nevertheless, it’s nice to see you. It’s been too long. How are you, Lili? Have you recovered from tax season?”
“It’s definitely behind me,” she replied with a wry twist of her lips.
They all filled their plates. Not anxious to spill her own beans, Lili took an extra spoonful of refried and asked, “So, what do you hear from Derek?”
Her parents spent quite a bit of time talking about their renowned heart surgeon son. Nerves caused Lili to make a pig of herself on chips and guacamole, and she didn’t miss her mother’s judgmental frown.
Finally, after extolling Derek’s most recent peer recognition award, her father asked Lili what was new with her work and the moment was at hand.
She sipped her water, wished it were a beer, and summarized the sequence of events that had led her to this crisis point. Then she waited for them to react.
And she waited.
And waited.
Her parents shared one of those long, hard-to-read looks that made Lili’s stomach do a bit of a sick flip. Her father cleared his throat. “It’s an incredible tale.”
Her mother nodded. “Unbelievable.”
Lili sucked salt off her bottom lip. She hadn’t expected them to jump to their feet and vow to make the villains pay, but she’d thought they’d be angry on her behalf. Not . . . reserved.
Deep within her, despair kindled to life. They were her parents. She was counting on them. Nevertheless, she pressed ahead, calmly and logically laying out the approach she wanted to take and the assistance she needed from her mother and father.
Again, her parents shared one of those inscrutable looks. Lili’s heart began to pound. “I don’t know, Liliana,” her father said, rubbing the back of his neck. “It would be hard to fight them. They’re powerful people. I hate to say it because it’s not the way this country was supposed to work, but if a Normal Joe tries to go up against powerful people, most often he loses.
“I don’t want to see you get involved with making a charge against the police. That could turn nasty real fast. This cop . . . you said you think your bosses might have threatened him, too? He might be in an even tougher position than you.”
“But he lied, Dad! He falsified records.”
“But you have no proof of that, do you?”
“Just my word.” Isn’t that enough, Dad? At least for you?
“Maybe you should let things lie for a while. Give it some time. See how things work out. I think it’s simply too soon to call the governor and ask for a personal favor.”
That, Lili knew, was a no. A no and a verbal punch to the gut. After her father’s heroic efforts during Central Oklahoma’s most recent tornado outbreak, hadn’t the governor given Brian Howe her direct phone number and instructions to call if he ever needed help with anything? Lili could think of only one reason why he denied her request, and it made her want to toss her guaco.
“Maybe later on when everything settles down we can look at the situation again.”
He didn’t believe her. He didn’t believe in her. Neither did her mother. Lili’s heart twisted. She knew her parents. They wouldn’t come right out and say it, but she saw the significant looks they’d exchanged. Noticed the way they wouldn’t meet her eyes.
They believed she’d been driving drunk last night and the DUI was legit. They did not believe that she’d been set up.
They thought she’d lied.
Lied!
Hurt like nothing she’d ever known washed through her. Lili had never been a liar. Even as a child she’d been frightfully honest. Hadn’t that been her way of attempting to gain favor with her parents? Her brilliant older brother spun stories that had fooled her equally brilliant parents, but eagle-eyed little sister often knew the truth. And tattled. But always with the truth.
Always.
Yet now, they doubted her? They believed her so irresponsible that she would climb behind the wheel of a car after she’d been drinking, thus risking her life, the lives of others, and her license to practice her profession?
Good grief, did they think she’d embezzled money from senior citizens, too?
Lili swallowed hard. Inside, her heart was bleeding. I will not cry. I will not cry. She couldn’t believe this. What was she going to do now?
The only thing she was certain of was that she needed to leave. Immediately. Before she lost her enchiladas all over her mother’s Italian tile.
But Lili couldn’t make herself stand up. Her knees were too weak.
“I think your father is right.” Stephanie Howe reached over and patted Lili’s hand. “You know, dear, maybe this is for the best. You haven’t been happy in your work for some time now.”
“You never liked accounting,” her father added helpfully. “Perhaps it’s best that you look on this event as an opportunity.”
An opportunity? For what? Prison? Hysterical laughter bubbled up inside her, but Lili swallowed it down.
Lili’s mother rose from the table and removed a glass pitcher of iced tea from the refrigerator. She topped off her husband’s glass and changed the subject.
Lili didn’t really care about the plans for their next-door neighbor’s upcoming retirement party. Nor did she give a fig about OU football recruiting rumors. She spent the rest of the meal in a distracted fog.
Finally, having cleaned his plate—twice—Brian Howe set down his fork, wiped his mouth with a napkin, then checked his watch. “I’ve gotta run. I have a one o’clock conference call.”
Standing, he leaned over and pressed a kiss against Lili’s hair. “It was nice to see you, sweetheart. Don’t be such a stranger.”
Minutes later, he walked out the door and Stephanie was preparing to follow. “I hate to rush you, Lili, but I have office hours before my two o’clock lecture.”
Stephanie Howe taught advanced mathematics at OU. “That’s okay, Mom. Why don’t you go on? I’ll stay and load the dishwasher.”
“Thank you. You’ll lock up when you’re done?”
“I will.”
Her mother ducked into the master bedroom and returned a few moments later with her hair and teeth brushed and wearing new lipstick. On the way out the door, she paused. “Lili, things happen for a reason, and often, we don’t know what that reason is. Sometimes you simply need to give it a little time.”
She gave a little finger wave, then exited the house. Lili stood in the center of her parents’ kitchen, her arms hanging limply at her sides. She heard her mother’s car start, then back out of the driveway. Lili was alone. Alone and . . . lost.
Her parents didn’t believe her. Why not? What had she ever done to earn this lack of faith?
 Nothing. She might not have been the smartest Howe sibling, but she’d made it a point to be the one who never screwed up. Derek the Favorite couldn’t say that. The time her brother had come within a phone call of getting an MIP, he’d deserved one. He and his trouble-magnet best friend had celebrated the no-hitter Mark had thrown in the regionals of the state baseball tournament by buying a fifth of bourbon with fake IDs and drinking themselves silly in a public park. Neither had gone near a car, but still.
Derek’s good luck was that their father’s administrative assistant’s husband was the chief of police. Dad had called the chief on Derek’s behalf and worked out a deal. Derek would pay the required fine and do the required community service, but it wouldn’t go on his record. Gotta protect the college applications, you know.
He’d called for Derek.
He won’t go near the phone for me.
Pressure filled Lili’s chest. It reminded her of that achy feeling she got when reading a novel where the protagonist discovers that her loved one has betrayed her. At that point in a book, Lili invariably skipped ahead to read the ending. Lili needed happy endings.
Satisfying endings didn’t work for her. She wanted happy-ever-after.
Once she knew the book was a safe read, the emotional grief she experienced eased. Then she invariably read the rest of the book backward. She was weird that way.
She’d never expected to be the wronged character in a real-life novel. Not with her parents cast as the betrayers, anyway. She wished she could skip to the end of this story. Maybe then she’d discover that her parents had believed her and believed in her all along and they had a really good reason for doing what they’d just done.
Yeah. Right. And I’ll win the next season of Who’s Got Talent because of my spreadsheet expertise. 


Review coming soon!

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Last One Home by Debbie Macomber

Last One Home
by Debbie Macomber
 

 
Cassie made a poor decision. Because of that bad choice,
she found herself in a deep hole. A dark place that felt
like there was no way out. No one to call for help.
 
Last One Home is a book with so much life. A lot of
people with so many choices and plans. Trying to 
make the most of every day.
 
Cassie found a way out of the dark place. She dug her
way out, inch by inch. Setting the strong, smart, moral
example for the daughter she is raising by herself.
 
 
Debbie Macomber often writes of forgiveness and second
chances. Work hard. Be true and loyal. Last One Home
brings Cassie full circle back to her sisters. She finds out
that she is not the only one that makes big mistakes.
 
I enjoyed reading this story. Just as I typically do with
any Debbie Macomber read. I hope you will give it a try.
And get as much feeling and inspiration from it as I did.
 
I got my copy in a used book store.
Review by Lisa Hutson 

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Luke by Emily March - Audible version

Luke
by Emily March
Audible Version
 

Book one of the Brazos Bend series.
 
Maddie has had more than her share of trouble in her
time. She found Brazos Bend. Just the place to settle
down. Have a calm business. Do her work and make
friends. Make a life.
 
How in the world can things go so bad so fast?
 
Luke was all ready the yearly fishing trip with his
brothers. He looks forward to it and nothing,
absolutely nothing will keep him from this
annual family bonding time.
 
How in the world can things go so bad so fast?
 
 
Luke finds a strange woman with a strange story
on his boat. She was looking to find someone.
But she found herself in the wrong place at the
wrong time. Luke is going fishing. Meeting his
brothers. He is not, not going to Brazos Bend.
 
What is that saying about life being what happens
while you make plans? So much for their plans.
Can Maddie find a way out of the unwitting mess
she is in? Can she do it alone? Because Luke is
determined not to help her. Can Luke go fishing
knowing there is someone that could probably
help? Someone in need of help?
 
Narration is done by Jeffrey Kafer. This is a high
action romantic story, well done by a mans voice.
Jeffrey Kafer has a deep mans voice and style that
perfectly suits this kind of story. I think he did
a terrific job.
 
Luke runs just over 9 hours long. And there
wasn't a boring moment in the whole thing.
I will continue on with the series. There are
more brothers after all.
 
I bought my copy from Audible.com
Review by Lisa Hutson
 



Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Read, Write, Love at Seaside by Melissa Foster


Start reading FREE with Read, Write, Love at Seaside


READ, WRITE, LOVE AT SEASIDE
Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers #1
Addison Cole
Releasing June 14th, 2017


Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers features a group of fun, flirty, and emotional friends who gather each summer at their Cape Cod cottages. They’re sassy, flawed, and so easy to relate to, you’ll be begging to enter their circle of friends! Start reading FREE with Read, Write, Love at Seaside

In READ, WRITE, LOVE at SEASIDE...
Bestselling author Kurt Remington lives to write. He spends twelve hours a day in front of his computer, rarely leaving the seclusion of his beach-front property, where he's come to finish his latest thriller -- that is, until free-spirited Leanna Bray nearly drowns in the ocean trying to save her dog. Kurt's best-laid plans are shot to hell when he comes to their rescue. Kurt's as irritated as he is intrigued by the sexy, hot mess of a woman who lives life on a whim, forgets everything, and doesn't even know the definition of the word organized.

Leanna's come to the Cape hoping to find a fulfilling career in the jam-making business, and until she figures out her own life, a man is not on the menu. But Leanna can't get the six-two, deliciously muscled and tragically neat Kurt out of her mind. She tells herself she's just stopping by to say thank you, but the heart-warming afternoon sparks an emotional and unexpectedly sweet ride as Kurt and Leanna test the powers of Chemistry 101: Opposites Attract.

*Read, Write, Love at Seaside by Addison Cole is the sweet edition of New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster's steamy romance novel Read, Write, Love. The stories and characters remain the same, and convey all of the passion you expect between two people in love, without any explicit scenes or harsh language.

START READING FOR FREE!

 *~*


DREAMING AT SEASIDE
Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers #2
Addison Cole
Releasing June 14th, 2017


In DREAMING at SEASIDE...
Bella Abbascia has returned to Seaside Cottages in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, as she does every summer. Only this year, Bella has more on her mind than sunbathing and skinny-dipping with her girlfriends. She's quit her job, put her house on the market, and sworn off relationships while she builds a new life in her favorite place on earth. That is, until good-time Bella's prank takes a bad turn and a handsome police officer appears on the scene.

Single father and police officer Caden Grant left Boston with his fourteen-year-old son, Evan, after his partner was killed in the line of duty. He hopes to find a safer life in the small resort town of Wellfleet, and when he meets Bella during a night patrol shift, he realizes he's found the one thing he'd never allowed himself to hope for--or even realized he was missing.

After fourteen years of focusing solely on his son, Caden cannot resist the intense attraction he feels toward beautiful Bella, and Bella's powerless to fight the heat of their budding romance. But starting over proves more difficult than either of them imagined, and when Evan gets mixed up with the wrong kids, Caden's loyalty is put to the test. Will he give up everything to protect his son--even Bella?

Dreaming at Seaside is the sweet edition of New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster's steamy romance novel Seaside Dreams. The stories and characters remain the same, and convey all of the passion you expect between two people in love, without any explicit scenes or harsh language.





Addison Cole is the sweet alter ego of New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Melissa Foster. She writes humorous and emotional sweet contemporary romance. Her books do not include explicit sex scenes or harsh language. Addison spends her summers on Cape Cod, where she dreams up wonderful love stories in her house overlooking Cape Cod Bay.    





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bestselling author Kurt Remington leads a very structured, solitary life. He works out in the morning and writes for 8-10 hours every day on his oceanfront deck overlooking Cape Cod bay. This routine allows him to be immersed in his writing as he crafts his latest suspense book. However, Kurt’s writing schedule is interrupted when he hears Leanna Bray calling her puppy. He watches as the disobedient animal runs into the ocean and gets pulled into a strong current. The chemistry between Kurt and Leanna sizzles when Kurt rescues the puppy and returns him to Leanna.
Leanna is open and honest person, who is a free spirit and a bit scatterbrained. She inherited jam making recipes from a friend and has decided to start a home- based business. In order to pursue this opportunity, Leanna decides to spend the summer making jam and homemade bread at her family’s Cape Cod cottage.
Do opposites attract? Yes, they do! I loved that Leanna’s appreciation of the little things in life opened up a new world for Kurt—she brought color and sound into his black and white world. Kurt listened, supported and believed in Leanna. Their romance is the perfect mix of passion, humor and romance!
Addison Cole’s descriptive writing style shines in this story! While reading the book, I could imagine Kurt immersed in writing his novel on his deck overlooking the ocean while Leanna spent the afternoon nearby on the beach. The scenes which describe Leanna making jam and the sticky mess in her kitchen made me smile. The brightly colored buildings of Provincetown, the large outdoor flea markets and the Wellfleet drive-in come to life in this book. Leanna’s friends and their stories are woven throughout the novel. Loved the relationship between Leanna and her Seaside friends Bella, Jenna and Amy. They tease, listen and support each other— just like sisters. The Seaside neighborhood captures the small town community feeling perfectly-from the bonfires to the last minute wine parties on the deck.
However, Leanna fears that her relationship with Kurt will change when she is offered a huge contract which stipulates that her products be locally made. Kurt summers on the Cape, he lives in New York. She worries that they won’t be able to make a long distance relationship work. The heartfelt conclusion to Leanna and Kurt’s story has several surprises and is perfect for the couple. Melissa Foster blends passion, friendship and humor in Read, Write, Love at Seaside resulting in the perfect summer read!

P.S.---The excerpt for Bella’s story Dreaming at Seaside follows the Read, Write Love at Seaside excerpt—am reading Bella's story and loving it!

Reviewed By Susan Gorman
Edited by Brian McGee


Kurt stopped cold. She wasn’t a rail-thin model; nor was she overly plump. Beneath the tank tops and cutoffs, Leanna Bray was one hundred percent hot, sexy woman, and she stole any chance Kurt had at rational thought.
After securing her hair, she took the towel from his hands. “Thanks so much. I really appreciate it. I was going to take Pepper to the water later, so this saves us time.” She traced a finger over the tattoo on his chest. “I never would have guessed you to be a tattoo guy.” It was all he could do to shift his eyes from her bikini top to her finger working its way across his bare chest.
“And the one on your arm?” She touched that one, too, and he could tell by the unchanged inflection of her voice that she wasn’t trying to be sexy or flirtatious. She was just being Leanna—curious, sweet. And it was affecting him. He cleared his throat and stepped away.
“Thanks. They were a…” Still in shock over everything about Leanna, he was at a loss for words. He was used to being in control, and Leanna was stealing that from him one hot breath at a time.
She cocked her head and looked up at him.
“A whim,” he managed. Whim? He’d never done a thing in his life based on a whim. She smiled. “Really? You don’t strike me as a whim guy. Hm.” She turned and tossed the blanket and towel over her shoulder. “I guess I’ll hit the beach, then. Come on, Pep.” She headed for the beach with a bounce in her step.
Kurt let out a breath and ran his hand through his hair. He watched her spread out the towel and lie down on her back, her hands tapping to some silent beat, her lips slightly parted, and Pepper running circles around her. She was so not what he needed. What am I doing? How was he supposed to think of killing and darkness with that beautiful, touchy-feely, all-too-comfortable-and-happy woman a few feet away?

“Bella? Are you here for the summer, or do you live here?”
She stacked the chocolate on top of a graham cracker, added the warm marshmallow, and then topped it off with another graham cracker. She stared at it for a minute before cocking her head in his direction and answering.
“I’m here until the s’mores run out.”
Then let me run to the store for more marshmallows.
She took a bite of the gooey treat and licked a streak of chocolate from her lower lip. She had a dab of marshmallow on her cheek, and once again, it felt natural to reach over and wipe it clean with his finger. Bella narrowed her eyes. Oops. There was that invisible boundary again. Maybe she wasn’t into him after all.
“I was saving that for later,” she said. With her back to Evan, who was preoccupied with his own dessert, she grabbed his hand and brought it to her mouth. His pulse quickened with the expectation of a sensually evocative suck. With wide, amused eyes, she turned his finger sideways and nibbled the sticky marshmallow off like it was corn on the cob.
“I’ll teach you not to steal my sugar. Open up.” She shoved the s’more toward his mouth.
“No, that’s okay.” He leaned out of reach to tease her.
“Come on. No one can resist s’mores.” She leaned in closer, holding the s’more to his lips. Her knee pressed against his thigh. “You know you want it.”
Yeah, I do. He took a bite of the sweet, sticky treat. Heat flashed in Bella’s eyes as she dragged her finger along the edge of his lower lip and held it up to show him the smear of chocolate before she slowly, seductively, sucked her finger clean.
Holy. Moly.
Beautiful, smart, and sexier than any woman he’d ever met. Bella piqued curiosities and desires that had been slumbering for way too long.