Susan's Review of Wishing on a Christmas Cowboy by Sara Richardson

Pediatric nurse Kyra Fowler is finally going to realize her dream. She’s got a job lined up at the most prestigious children’s hospital in London. There’s only one little snag—first she has to sell the Wyoming town she’s just inherited from her estranged father. After a little fixing up, the place should easily attract a buyer. Hopefully she’ll be celebrating the sale by New Year’s.

Ex-Navy SEAL Aiden Steele couldn’t save his brother-in-law on the battlefield, but he can save his sister’s ranch and give his nieces the life they deserve in the town they love. He’s not about to let some outsider make a mint selling to a ruthless developer. Operation Save Star Valley is foolproof: show Kyra the sights, let the Christmas spirit work its magic, and bam! She’ll decide not to sell and he can ensure his family is taken care of. Except as he tries to make Kyra fall in love with the town, Aiden starts falling for her.

Susan's Review of Sheryl Lister's A Table for Two

One woman must learn to love again with the help of her supper club friends and the man next door in this delightful enemies-to-lovers small-town romance.

The best meals. The perfect company. And just enough sparks to make it complicated . . .

Serenity Wheeler’s Supper Club is all about getting together with great friends, incredible food, and a whole lot of dishing—not for hooking up. Still, Serenity knows inviting her friend’s brother to one of her dinners is just good manners, but the ultra-fine, hazel-eyed Gabriel Cunningham has a gift for saying the wrong thing at the really wrong time. Especially when it comes to her cooking.

Gabriel isn’t quite sure how they got off on the wrong foot, but something about Serenity makes him nervous. Maybe it’s because he’s new to the small-town vibe. Maybe it’s because the woman is so gorgeous that he can’t think straight. Or maybe it’s because there’s an attraction between them he can’t seem to shake.

Though refreshments and camaraderie may be the supper club’s mantra, Serenity and Gabriel know there’s more between them than just sharing delicious meals. But she can’t let herself fall for Gabriel. Because while cooking with love is one thing, trusting it is quite another...

                            

Sheryl Lister’s A Table for Two is an entertaining small town romance. Loved the sparks between Serenity Wheeler and Gabriel Cunningham - he insulted her twice and she retaliated by tossing a container of brownies at him! Of course, I had to keep reading!

Loved the fun, flirty banter between Serenity and Gabriel. Serenity is a strong, compassionate woman who left San Diego to start over again in Firefly Lake. Cooking dinners and baking for her friends brings her joy. Serenity adds all the perfect touches: music, candles and delicious food to create the perfect ambiance for entertaining evening. Serenity’s kitchen is the gathering place for her supper club group; Natasha, Dana and Teri. Loved the friendship between these woman and I related to their honest girl chat, love of good food and wine.

Gabriel is a definitely a swoony hero. He has moved to Firefly Lake to watch over his Nana – how sweet! His job as a computer programmer allows him to work remotely but, he’s wondering if he can adjust to small town life. The move comes at a good time as his friends Glenn, Darius and Brent have advised him to slow down—his 14 hour workdays are not good for him. Loved these friends so much—their video calls, texts and concerns added a lot of humor in the story and they supported Gabriel’s decision.

Sheryl Lister crafts a wonderful story for this couple. Love how she wove in Gabriel and Serenity’s love of food, family and friends into their romance. The couple’s chemistry, flirty banter and the ensemble cast kept me reading—and I loved Gabriel’s Nana!

Loved the delicious dinners served—the combination of flavors wowed me and gave me a few ideas to step up my menu for Sunday Supper. This is the first book of Sheryl Lister’s that I have read—and I am hoping she will add to the Firefly Lake series—these characters have stories to tell!

Pick up a copy of A Table for Two—pair it with a glass of wine and enjoy!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by publisher

Susan's Review of Someone Like You by Marie Force-- Wild Widows Novel-- #1

Roni

After I suddenly lose my husband, Patrick, in a senseless shooting, I’m lost in a sea of well-meaning people trying to make the unimaginable seem possible. How am I supposed to go on without the man who's been at the center of my life for nearly a decade? My friends and family do what they can for me, but I quickly realize that surviving this loss is going to be on me. One day to the next, I have to make the decision to go on, but life isn’t done throwing me ringers, and just when I think I’ve got this young widow game figured out, I find out how wrong I am.

When a friend of my sister’s connects me to the Wild Widows, I find a group of fellow travelers who understand my new reality in a way no one else in my life ever could. The Wild Widows have one requirement for membership to their group—I must be open to the possibility of a Chapter 2, which is what they call a second chance at love. While I’m not in any way looking for or ready for a Chapter 2, if I’ve learned anything it’s that I’m not in control of where this journey will take me.

 

Someone Like You is the first book in Marie Force’s Wild Widows series and believe me –it has ALL the feels. I was drawn to Roni Connolly when Lt. Sam Holland told her that her husband, Patrick, was killed by a stray bullet in Fatal Reckoning. Sam’s friendship is a lifeline for Roni and I wanted to read her story.

Patrick and Roni had been together for 10 years and married for a few months when he died. Roni’s struggle to accept Patrick’s death is perfectly written. She feels his presence in their apartment and dreams of him and she can’t sleep or eat.

Roni accepts an invitation to join a support group called the Wild Widows. The Widows offer Roni emotional support, guidance and friendship. They have walked in Roni’s shoes and understand that acceptance isn’t something that happens on a timetable and that each widow’s journey towards their new life is different. Wild Widows Iris and Brielle were honest, compassionate and supportive to Roni and I loved that the Wild Widows had a caveat—each member had to be open to a Chapter 2—a second chance at love.

Loved that Roni was a strong person, acknowledged her struggle and reached out to the Wild Widows for help, advice and comfort. The storyline in Someone Like You is outstanding—all the feels and several amazing twists and turns. The supporting characters in this novel added a lot of depth and compassion to the story—Roni’s parents and sisters, her in-laws and the Wild Widows had significant roles in her journey.

Someone Like You will grab at your heartstrings—it’s an absorbing, emotional read filled with friendship, love and most of all HOPE. Fans of Kristin Hannah, Robyn Carr and Kristan Higgins will adore this novel.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Book purchased through Marie Force's store.

Susan's Review of No One Like Her by Cindy Kirk--Hazel Green Series--Book #4

What happens in Chicago…

When Erika Eads last saw Wells Pomeroy, harsh words were exchanged. Fast forward eight years. After running into Wells on one of the worst days of her life, she finds herself sleeping with him!

Wells Pomeroy is many things; respected business owner, devoted single father, responsible eldest son of the politically prominent Pomeroy family. What he is not is impulsive.

With Erika back in Hazel Green, they agree that friendship is best. Still, it’s not long before people notice the spark between them. But Wells hasn’t dated since his wife died. While Erica would never try to replace her friend, she can’t live in another woman’s shadow.

When a relationship bombshell drops, rumors and gossip in their close-knit community cause Wells and Erica to questions their feelings. Wells doesn’t want to lose Erika, but can he offer her what she needs? Or will they part ways again, this time forever? (less)

A Lowcountry Christmas by Mary Alice Monroe - Audio Version

A Lowcountry Christmas

by Mary Alice Monroe

Audio Version

 ☆☆☆☆☆

I enjoy reading holiday stories. But especially during

the holidays. I cant get enough of them. This year, I have

found I am getting the most from audio stories. I have one

or two kindle books I want to get to. But mostly, 

I like being read to! 

This was my first Mary Alice Monroe story. The cover was so 

calming and pretty. As it turned out, A Lowcountry Christmas

was a calm and pretty story. A family with struggles and love.

Happiness and memories. Respect and patience.

 The McClellan family find themselves as many of us do at

one time or another. The budget is low and Christmas is 

around the corner. They also are reminded that they live in

a community. A helpful and caring community.

 When an emergency comes up, everyone is reminded what

is important. What matters and what doesn't. 

It's a wonderful story to listen to. Mary Alice Monroe does 

the narration for her own book. I love it when

writers do that! She makes it sound just like she heard 

it in her head while writing it. 

I hope you're having a wonderful holiday. 

With lots of book time. 

Whether listening or reading. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

Nobody But You by Jill Shalvis - Audible Version

Nobody But You

by Jill Shalvis

☆☆☆☆☆

Audible Version

 

Jacob Kincaid has found his way back home. It has taken a long

 time. But sometimes, these things do. He did the right thing with

his mom. Keeping up with her. But he did not with the rest of

his family. And they are not one bit happy about that.

 

Sophie is free. And boy did her freedom have a high cost.

But of course, stubbornness added to that cost. Sophie has

decided to stick with it anyway. No matter what the cost.

Both Sophie and Jacob are in highly stressful times.

Their lives are in need of some direction.

There is a saying....

Every person comes into your life for a reason.

Either for you to learn something from them.

Or for them to learn something from you.

That is ever so true for both Jacob and Sophie.

They both manage to help the other to figure it all out.

So in the end, Sophie is happier. So is Jacob.

Now what? Do they go on their separate ways now?

After all, Jacob has to finish his time with the military.

Sophie is just beginning to find some peace.

Would it be possible for them to make a life together?

Jill Shalvis is one of the queens of fun romantic writing.
It is a true love story. I saw a review in which someone

recommended speeding up the listening time to 1.25.

That might have been just what was needed to make

the listening just right. But all in all, it was a good listen.

 

I got this copy from my library.

Review by Lisa Hutson





Four Friends - Audio Version Review

Four Friends

by Robyn Carr

Audio Version

This was my first Robyn Carr experience. She is an author

that I see around often. But just never got around to reading.

I saw this one on sale at audible.com so I gave it a try.

As you might guess, it is a story of four friends.
They share a street in a typical neighborhood. I have
wondered, if I got to know the other women on my
street, would I find such a diverse group? They are each

very different women. Their lives, their marriages, children,

family, history, thought processes all so very very

different. And yet, they are able to be supportive and

encouraging of each other. There are secrets and mysteries.

There are plenty of those ah-ha moments.

I do highly recommend this one. If you have never tried

an audio book before, this is a good one. It is

twelve and a half hours long. So you definitely get your

moneys worth. The narration is terrific.

The only problem you will have is when to pause the story.
I had a hard time just stopping. I am guessing if I had

read the paperback, I would have felt the same.  

I can promise laughs and tears, surprise, shocks.
And at the end, you will probably go out your front

door and look up and down your street searching

for a truck. But I wont tell you whose truck. haha!

I will definitely give Robyn Carr another listen to or read.

This one was fabulous.
Review by Lisa Hutson