Susan's Review of Deck the Halls by Donna Alward

With shades of It’s a Wonderful Life, one man must face his past to find his future this Christmas.

In the last year, George's life has drastically changed. The formerly homeless veteran now has a job he likes, a family in the residents of Darling, VT, and for the first time in years, a home. But while his present is good, he's still haunted by the past, a past that appears shortly before Christmas when the older sister of his brother-in-arms hunts him down and finds him in Darling, working at the Ladybug Garden Center.

Amy’s looking for closure for her family after her brother's death in the Middle East, but the serious man she finds working in Vermont doesn’t resemble the soldier she remembers from years before. This man is hardened and yet somehow fragile, too, and in her desire to find out what really happened to her brother, she learns more about George than she ever expected.

With a little Christmas magic and the whole town supporting them, can these two bruised hearts make a future together?

Deck the Halls embodies the true spirit of the holiday season. Donna Alward flawlessly combines the themes of community, charity and love in this poignant holiday story set in Darling, Vermont. George Reilly is one of my favorite characters in this series. George played a pivotal role in Somebody Like You, and his story intrigued me. I was so excited that he was featured in Deck the Halls!

George is a veteran of the Iraq conflict. His best friend Ian Merck was killed in action. The reality of Ian’s tragic death hit George hard; his survivor’s guilt plagued him and sent him into a downward spiral of loneliness and despair. He disengaged from life and lived on the streets until Laurel and Aiden Gallagher took an interest in him and helped him get a job and an apartment.

Ian’s twin sister, Amy Merck, has travelled to Darling to speak to George. Her family needs closure-any details about their son’s death would ease their minds. Amy and George were attracted to each other and shared a few steamy kisses before George’s last deployment. Will George open up to Amy?

George and Amy are wounded souls. Their wounds are not visible, their scars are on the inside. George blames himself for his friend’s death while Amy’s marriage fell apart when she couldn’t conceive. My favorite scene takes place at a holiday fundraiser when Amy and Willow Gallagher have a heart to heart talk. Amy mentions that George doesn’t see that he is a part of the Darling community Willow uses the words strength and courage when she talks about George. This conversation inspires Amy to show George the true meaning of Christmas. The last few chapters of this book are exquisitely written; the conversations are honest, poignant and witty and the charming characters will steal your heart as the community rallies to show one of their own the true meaning of Christmas.

Deck the Halls made me laugh and cry—and most of all it reminded me to give back to my own community. Thank you Donna Alward for a fabulous read! Can’t wait for the next Darling novel

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the publisher

Holiday Q and A with Donna Alward

When do the holidays official start for you?
December 1 - or the weekend just preceding it. That's when we get out the decorations and go crazy.

What's your favorite thing about the holidays?
THE MOVIES. I love sitting with my kids (who are of the nearly-adult variety) and watching holiday movies with a glass of wine or hot cocoa.

Are there any holiday traditions you do every year without fail?
Tons! There are certain things we bake. We have a whole bunch of Christmas Eve traditions, including a barbecue (steak!), putting presents under the tree, going for a drive to see the lights, and watching The Polar Express. And even at their age, they still ask me to read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

What's your favorite holiday movie?
I have too many - my fave depends on my mood. Top contenders: Christmas Vacation, Christmas with the Kranks, White Christmas, Love Actually, The Polar Express.

Do you have a favorite holiday book?
Hmmm. I don't tend to re-read holiday themed books, but I'll confess that I have a soft spot for any (all) of the Christmas books in the Chesapeake Shores series. Those O'Briens... :)

What's your all-time favorite holiday song?
Nat King Cole's version of The Christmas Song. Simplicity and nostalgia all rolled into one smooth voice.

What's your favorite activity during fall or winter?
Cozy nights with a glass of wine and a book. LOL! Seriously though, I miss living near the Rockies, because the skiing there spoiled me for anywhere else.

What's your favorite gift you've ever received or given?
One year my sister put together a recipe book with our mom's fave recipes over the years. She added some of her own, too, but if I want something that Mom used to make back in the eighties? It's in that book!

Do you have any items on your wish list this year?
Yes! Yoga socks, books, and a kindle.

Any resolutions or goals for next year?
Do better. :)

Author Bio:

A busy wife and mother of three (two daughters plus the family dog), Donna Alward believes hers is the best job in the world: a combination of stay-at-home mom and romance novelist. Donna loves being back on the East Coast of Canada after nearly twelve years in Alberta where her romance career began, writing about cowboys and the west. She is the author of Somebody Like You, Somebody's Baby, and Someone to Love.

SMP Holiday Blitz - featuring Donna Alward, Emma Douglas and Kieran Kramer

'Tis the season for holiday romance novels!

I am thrilled to be part of the SMP Holiday Blitz!

I chose three books to read and loved each one! My reviews will post at the end of the week!

Take a look at the gorgeous covers and book blurbs. The holidays are right around the corner!

Susan

With shades of It’s a Wonderful Life, one man must face his past to find his future this Christmas. 

In the last year, George's life has drastically changed. The formerly homeless veteran now has a job he likes, a family in the residents of Darling, VT, and for the first time in years, a home. But while his present is good, he's still haunted by the past, a past that appears shortly before Christmas when the older sister of his brother-in-arms hunts him down and finds him in Darling, working at the Ladybug Garden Center.

Amy’s looking for closure for her family after her brother's death in the Middle East, but the serious man she finds working in Vermont doesn’t resemble the soldier she remembers from years before. This man is hardened and yet somehow fragile, too, and in her desire to find out what really happened to her brother, she learns more about George than she ever expected.

With a little Christmas magic and the whole town supporting them, can these two bruised hearts make a future together?

Author Bio:

A busy wife and mother of three (two daughters plus the family dog), Donna Alward believes hers is the best job in the world: a combination of stay-at-home mom and romance novelist. Donna loves being back on the East Coast of Canada after nearly twelve years in Alberta where her romance career began, writing about cowboys and the west. She is the author of Somebody Like You, Somebody's Baby, and Someone to Love.

It’s Christmastime in the quaint island town of Cloud Bay, where love is always in season... Will has believed in love at first sight since the day he first laid eyes on Mina Harper five years ago. There was only one problem: She was happily married. Then, when Mina’s husband was killed by a drunk driver, Will figured she’d want nothing to do with a guy who owns a whiskey distillery. So he’s kept his feelings locked away, knowing that not even a Christmas miracle would be enough to melt Mina’s heart. . .

Mina believes her days of true love are behind her. Since losing her husband she’s kept to herself, content to do her own painting and stay out of the limelight that comes with her famous family. But when, after a freak accident, Will comes to her rescue, Mina can’t quite get him out of her mind. As curiosity turns into a fling during Cloud Bay’s first Christmas Festival, she finds it harder to convince herself that her feelings for Will are just mistletoe-inspired. Could Mina be ready to lay the past to rest and finally admit that what she really wants for Christmas—and forever—is Will?

Author Bio:

Emma Douglas would love to live in a world where professional napping was a thing. But until then, she thinks writing books is a pretty awesome alternative. When not writing about imaginary people, she can be found reading, doing something crafty, binge-watching TV, playing her latest song crush on repeat, or singing badly in her car. She lives in Melbourne, Australia in a tiny house stuffed full of books, too many craft supplies and two cats who take up more space than you would expect. Find out more about Emma at www.emmadouglasbooks.com.

The best gift of all is the one you share with someone else. . .

From the moment he strode through the iron gate and into the offices of Two Love Lane on a crisp December day, it was obvious that Deacon Banks was something different. He wasn’t a Charleston native, not with that adorable Yankee accent. And unlike the usual client at the elegant matchmaking agency, he had no interest in finding a woman to marry—just a few no-strings dates while he was in town.

Macy Frost takes her professional services very seriously—how could she not, when she’s rumored to be a direct descendant of Cupid? Tech entrepreneur Deacon says he’s just trying to make his social-climbing aunt happy by being seen out and about with a few prominent beauties, but Macy insists she can make her client fall in love…for real. And Deacon can’t help but think she might be right. As charming as the palmetto trees and magnificent harbor may be, it’s the beautiful, breath-of-fresh-air Macy who’s become Deacon’s favorite part of the scenery. But can the hopelessly romantic Southern belle stop trying to fix him up and just let Cupid do his work on her own heart?

Author Bio:

Kieran Kramer, author of the Impossible Bachelors series, was born in Washington, D.C. to an Air Force pilot father and actress/singer mother. She grew up mainly on Johns Island, a rural sea island near Charleston, South Carolina, where she helped build her family’s log home. Having worked for the CIA and as journalist for The Charlotte Observer, Kieran is now a stay-at-home mom. She once won $34,000 on Wheel of Fortune, and also won on Family Feud. She’s been married to her naval officer husband, Chuck, for twenty-one years, and they have three children.

Susan's Review of Donna Alward's Beneath the Badge

Working a short-term assignment in small-town Nova Scotia is just what RCMP officer Matt Parker needs. Traffic violations, some vandalism…things are pretty quiet. Until a call about a puppy mill brings back haunting memories of a case gone bad. Lucky for him, pretty veterinarian Lindsay Swan proves to be a great distraction.

Lindsay can’t resist the sexy police officer, particularly when she sees his tender, caring side. For her, relationships are bad news and accidents waiting to happen, so it’s perfect that Matt is only in town temporarily. And it would be easy to keep things light, until a local woman disappears and Matt’s darkest secret is revealed. Can Lindsay be the support he needs, or will she choose to keep her heart safe?

A plate appeared across from hers on the table, the dish made a small thunk on the heavy wood. ‘Mind if I join you?”

She raised her gaze. Oh Lord, it was him. Up close he had to be six feet or maybe a little taller. The fit of his jeans and t-shirt made him appear lean from a distance but now, up close and personal, she could see that every curve and dip was formed from pure muscle.
He smiled at her. ‘I’m Matt Parker.”

‘I know who you are.” She answered. Jeez, she wasn’t always so inept. Maybe she was spending too much time surrounded by dogs and cats.

‘And you are?’

‘Didn’t you do a little recon at the bar before coming over?’ she asked.

He chuckled. ‘I did. You’re Lindsay Swan and you run the vet clinic just off of Main.”

Beneath the Badge exceeded my expectations. The characters are relatable, the author’s rich descriptive writing style and clever dialogue shine in this novella. The couple’s chemistry and first goodnight kiss drew me into the story. Both characters have flaws; Matt is haunted by his experiences as an uncover police officer while Lindsay has spent years coping with her father’s depression. Ms. Alward shows Matt’s compassionate side when he pitches in and helps at the vet clinic; this scene allowed Lindsay to realize that Matt was more than a charming ladies’ man.

Loved how the couple’s love story unfolded during the story—it’s well-paced and sensuous. Lindsay abruptly ends her relationship with Matt. She fears neither one of them can leave their pasts behind them. Lindsay hears of a missing person case and knows she needs to be there for Matt. Can she put her fears aside and be there for him? The novella’s conclusion is emotional and compelling and brought several tears to my eyes. Beneath the Badge reads like a novel and has all the feels—you will fall in love with Lindsay and Matt as their story is heartfelt and emotional on many levels. And the epilogue is perfect!

★★★★★

Five Stars!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
ARC provided by the author

While bestselling author Donna Alward was busy studying Austen, Eliot and Shakespeare, she was also losing herself in the breathtaking stories created by romance novelists like LaVyrle Spencer, Judith McNaught, and Nora Roberts. Several years after completing her degree she decided to write a romance of her own and it was true love! Five years and ten manuscripts later she sold her first book and launched a new career. While her heartwarming stories of love, hope, and homecoming have been translated into several languages, hit bestseller lists and won awards, her very favorite thing is when she hears from happy readers.

Donna lives on Canada’s east coast with her family which includes a husband, a couple of kids, a senior dog and two crazy cats. When she’s not writing she enjoys reading (of course!), knitting, gardening, cooking…and is a Masterpiece Theater addict. You can visit her on the web at www.DonnaAlward.com and join her mailing list at www.DonnaAlward.com/newsletter .

Susan's Review of Breathe by Donna Alward

BREATHE – (reprint) May 2017

Second Chances Series Book 3

Amazon / iTunes / Kobo / GooglePlay /  Barnes and Noble

Sometimes all you need is a second chance…

Anna Morelli’s life looked picture perfect—until her husband had an affair with the nanny. She’s ready to file for divorce when a freak accident claims his life, and she’s forced to act the grieving widow. Trouble is, she’s not much of an actress. She has to get away—somewhere her meddling family won’t think to find her. That place is Two Willows Winery, the new home of her former best friend and ex-lover, Jace, and prays their childhood friendship is strong enough that he won’t turn her away.

Jace never expected to see Anna at his door. He’d been the son of the help; she was the Morelli princess, and their affair was doomed from the start. He’s never forgiven her for breaking his heart—or marrying someone else. But he can’t turn her away. Not when she needs a roof over her children’s heads, and some peace of mind. He knows firsthand how strong her father’s influence can be, and her need to break away.

But their painful history isn’t forgotten, and as old secrets are finally revealed, their love is rekindled. Can Jace let go of his grudge and forgive her? Can she trust him again? Or are their wounds too deep to ever truly heal?

Feeling trapped like a butterfly under glass, she’d needed to get away. Somewhere safe. In her head she knew that Jace’s was the last place she should go. They had too much history. But, her heart told her differently. Here she could hide for a while. Ever since her husband’s funeral shed wanted to scream with the need to escape. And the only place she wanted to be was with Jace.

And that made absolutely no sense. 
                                         

Donna Award’s Breathe is a twist on the second chance at love theme. Both main characters fascinated me in this moving story of forgiveness, love and family set in the Shuswap Lake region of British Columbia.

Anna Morelli needs to breathe. She discovered her husband, Stefano, was having an affair with their nanny and was starting divorce proceedings when Stefano died. She’s overwhelmed; she’s been grieving for her marriage, caring for her two young children and working for her demanding father in the family’s winery. Anna and her children appear unannounced at her childhood friend Jace Willow’s vineyard. The author does a fabulous job describing Anna and Jace’s initial meeting and dinner with the two tired, cranky children. It’s obvious that Anna and Jace were more than friends and they have unfinished business.

The conversions between Anna and Jace drew me into the story. They misunderstand each other, jump to the wrong conclusions about each other and argue like a real couple. At first glance Breathe might seem like the typical rich girl loves poor boy romance but the compelling relationship between Anna and Jace unfolds as the couple gets reacquainted. Their love story is not a simple one; it’s fraught with mistakes, parental influences and tragedy. Anna and Jace have to work at rebuilding the trust that they once shared and realize that they have grown in the last ten years. Can they acknowledge their past and move forward? The conclusion to the thoughtful, poignant story was well written and perfect for this couple.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Book Provided by the Author

Susan's review of Someone to Love by Donna Alward

Someone to Love is the second book in Donna Alward’s Darling Vermont series. It’s a thoughtful, character- driven novel which touches upon the importance of family, the grieving process and the ability to make hard decisions. The novel features Café owner Willow Dunaway and widowed firefighter Ethan Gallagher. Their unlikely opposites attract love story drew me into this fabulously written novel.

His wife had died. That gave a man an excuse to be grouchy, didn’t it? And Hannah knew him better than anyone, probably. Her face had softened, talking about him and how he loved his kids.
Willow’s heart ached for him. He had to be hurting so much. She knew what it was like to feel you’d lost everything.
On Sunday, she decided, she would be the epitome of kindness and tolerance. No matter how condescending he was. In her experience, a good dose of kindness went a long way.

Ethan and his late wife, Lisa, promised to love each other forever. They had a wonderful, simple plan; get married, buy a house and have children. The Gallagher’s picture perfect life ended when Lisa died of cancer leaving Ethan with two young sons to raise. The demands of raising two small children alone and working fulltime as a firefighter have brought Ethan to the breaking point. He is ill-tempered and rude to Willow when they sit next to each other at a Gallagher family dinner.

In contrast, Willow has chosen a peaceful existence; she meditates and practices yoga. She owns the Purple Pig café which provides healthy meals and treats to the community. She has reconnected with several friends; Laurel Gallagher, who is married to Ethan’s brother and his sister, real estate agent Hannah Gallagher. Willow’s mother made several decisions on Willow’s behalf when she was a teenager. These actions had long lasting emotional and physical effects for Willow.

Hannah asks Willow to watch Ethan’s sons for her so she can show a property to some clients. Ethan meets them and is furious. The couple finds common ground when the town’s food pantry is relocated in the storefront next to Willow’s café. Ethan and Willow try to fight their attraction but the physical pull is undeniable and a passionate relationship ensues. The author’s descriptive writing style shines in the novel. She does a fabulous job bringing Ethan’s children Ronan and Connor into the storyline. The two boys warm up to Willow immediately and I could hear Ronan say ‘Wil-low” and imagine Connor running after a soccer ball. Willow makes a choice which effects Ethan and the choice leads to a huge falling out between the couple.

The last few chapters were fast paced, exquisitely written— and kept me reading past my bedtime. I enjoyed how the author let Willow’s personal story unfold during the course of the novel and contrasted it with Ethan’s publically visual situation. I felt for Willow and came to understand Ethan as I read each page. The author stayed true to her characters Willow’s choice was heartfelt. Ethan’s reaction was pure Ethan; a boatload of angry words, finger pointing and denial. I preferred the open- ended conclusion to the novel as opposed to the traditional happily ever after ending that one might have expected. It was perfect!

Someone to Love is the best book that I have read in years!
Am so looking forward to the next book in the series!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Edited by Brian McGee
ARC provided by the publisher

Review and Giveaway of Somebody Like You by Donna Alward

A kiss to last a lifetime 

Aiden Gallagher was only five years old when he appeared in a photograph on the Kissing Bridge. The town of Darling, Vermont, has used Aiden’s image on the famed bridge—local legend has it that a kiss there results in everlasting love—as part of its tourism campaign. Now, twenty years later, Aiden is asked to recreate the moment with the woman he once kissed: Laurel Stone. 

Recently divorced, there’s nothing Laurel wants less than to pretend happily-ever-after with Aiden. As teenagers, their romance was no fairy tale—and Laurel has never quite forgiven Aiden for breaking her heart. But now that she is back in her hometown, and keeps bumping into police officer Aiden, Laurel can’t deny that there’s still a strong flicker between her and her old flame. Could it be that the Kissing Bridge is working its magic on Laurel and Aiden—and that all true love ever needed was a second chance? 

Donna Alward’s Somebody Like You is a fabulous second chance romance set in the small town of Darling, Vermont. After an emotionally draining, awkward divorce, Laurel Stone has returned home to Darling to heal. She has purchased a garden center, joined the Chamber of Commerce and has reconnected with several old friends. Although, Laurel has been avoiding one person in particular--Aiden Gallagher, the boy that broke her heart in high school. However, she meets Aiden, now a member of the Darling police force, when her business is vandalized. Aiden and Laurel slowly begin to bond after her business is vandalized a second time. He returns the garden center after work and he helps her paint over graffiti.

Donna Alward is a new-to-me author. I love her descriptive voice and how she carefully balanced Lauren’s fear of being hurt with Aiden’s need to be forgiven in the novel. The pacing of their story was perfect, the dialogue was both honest and witty and the author did a fabulous job weaving in the secondary character of George, a homeless veteran, into both Lauren and Aiden’s lives.

The secondary characters of George, Willow and Rory played important roles in the plot. Through George, the author provides an honest look at the emotional difficulties that veterans encounter when they return home. The friendship between Laurel and Willow and the back and forth banter between Aiden and his brother Rory added humor, balance and authenticity to the plot. I enjoyed the superbly written scenes when calm, serene Willow offers Laurel unconditional support and challenges Laurel to make peace with the past. The powerful connection between the main characters captivated me from the first chapter of the book and kept me reading past my bedtime!

If you enjoy contemporary novels written by Samantha Chase, Debbie Mason and Sherryl Woods, you will adore this appealing, poignant love story!

Review by Susan Gorman

ARC courtesy of St Martin's Press 

Edited by Brian McGee

Giveaway and Link to Chapter One:

St Martin's Press is offering a copy of Somebody Like You to one of our readers.

Leave a comment with your email address and you are entered! 

Click here to read chapter one of Somebody Like You.

Author Biography: While bestselling author Donna Alward was busy studying Austen, Eliot and Shakespeare, she was also losing herself in the breathtaking stories created by romance novelists like LaVyrle Spencer, Judith McNaught, and Nora Roberts. Several years after completing her degree she decided to write a romance of her own and it was true love! Five years and ten manuscripts later she sold her first book and launched a new career. While her heartwarming stories of love, hope, and homecoming have been translated into several languages, hit bestseller lists and won awards, her very favorite thing is when she hears from happy readers! Donna lives on Canada’s east coast with her family which includes a husband, a couple of kids, a senior dog and two crazy cats. When she’s not writing she enjoys reading (of course!), knitting, gardening, cooking…and is a Masterpiece Theater addict. 

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