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 The Playbook Proposal by Samantha Chase--Meet Me at the Altar Book 4

He’s a former Navy SEAL from the school of hard knocks. She’s a cheery wedding planner writing a guide to happily ever afters. Who knew cupid’s arrow could come in the form of a five-pound bag of flour?

When Daisy Sinclair gleefully offers to help her brother come up with the perfect proposal, she has no idea how time-consuming the project will become. Or, how it would make her the target of mockery from one rather grumpy former SEAL. Xander thinks he’s got her all figured out. She is determined to prove him wrong. Just because she’s more cheer than sneer doesn’t give him the right to pass judgment on her.

As the son of a woman who walked away from her family, Xander Madden believes he’s destined to follow in her footsteps. Which makes Daisy’s ridiculously chipper ramblings about the wonders of love all the more irritating. Still, there’s something about her that he can’t ignore. Although… he probably should, considering every time he opens his mouth, he says the wrong thing.

Just when Xander thinks he can avoid the trappings of her sunny disposition, Daisy smacks him with a five-pound bag of flower and suddenly she’s all he can think about. The pair have nothing in common except an undeniable attraction. Is a future for them possible when Daisy’s looking for forever and Xander can’t even commit to tomorrow?

Samantha Chase creates the perfect story for wedding planner Daisy Sinclair and ex-Navy Seal Xander Madden. The entertaining banter between the engaging heroine and grumpy hero and their off the charts chemistry drew me into the story immediately.

The pairing of Daisy and Xander surprised me. The words sweet, helpful and family describe Daisy. She loves her job at Meet Me at the Altar and all things romance. Xander has left the Navy and has started a security business—he’s all about work and structure. He’s not into commitments or family. Xander misjudges Daisy—he thinks she’s way over the top with her ideas of romance and wedding proposals- until Daisy mistakes Xander for a burglar and smacks him in the jaw with a 5 pound bag of flour!

Loved the author’s version of the couple’s meet cute! After being smacked by a bag of flour Xander sees Daisy in a different light and realizes that he is attracted to her. The push-pull of the relationship as perfectly written as Xander is not quite sure what do with his feelings. Samantha Chase digs deep with Xander—he’s a complicated character with a lot of baggage. I could feel Xander’s very real attraction towards Daisy and his fear of taking the next step. And I absolutely loved that Daisy turned the tables on Xander! Loved that she was sassy, honest and forthright and that combination wowed Xander.

The Proposal Playbook contains the perfect blend of emotion, romance and conflict. Daisy and Xander’s story will tug at your heart strings in such a good way. I was invested in this story from page one and rooted for this couples romance. Can’t wait for the next book in the Meet Me at the Altar series!!!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Book purchased through Amazon

Susan's Review of You May Kiss the Groomsman by Samantha Chase -Meet Me at the Altar #3

It seemed like a good idea at the time…

When Josie Sullivan agrees to marry her friend Tyler, it’s just so he’ll get a promotion at work. That’s what friends do, right? But what should have been a quick, quiet affair starts to look like the real thing when his family shows up in the middle of the “proposal.” Now, it’s no longer a quick stop at the courthouse during a lunch break, but a full-blown wedding and there’s nothing Josie can do to stop it.

There was no way he could hold his peace…

Daniel Alexander hasn’t been home in years. After fifteen years as a Navy SEAL, he’s more than ready to return to civilian life. Being away for so long, he’s missed a lot of his younger brother’s life and it seems like he’s back just in time to stop him from making the biggest mistake of his life. No matter how he breaks it down, something’s just not adding up about this wedding and he’s determined to figure out why. And he’s not just trying to stop it from happening because he’s finding himself wildly attracted to the bride-to-be.

Or because they can’t stop kissing each other.

Josie had given up on finding her own happily ever after and as her attraction to Daniel keeps growing, she’s suddenly regretting her decision to help out a friend. Now she just needs to decide if she wants to kiss the groom…or the groomsman.

Samantha Chase writes an engaging, heartfelt story for Josie Sullivan and Daniel Alexander. The instant attraction between Josie and Daniel drew me into their story.

Josie Sullivan is an independent, confident businesswoman who can handle any business- related crisis. In the past year, her brother Elliot has married Skye; Josie’s friend and business partner. Skye and Elliot are celebrating the birth of their new born daughter. Lea who owns Meet me at the Altar with Josie and Skye is newly engaged. Samantha Chase crafted this piece of the story perfectly-it was so relatable. Josie was thrilled for Skye and Lea but, at the same time she was realizing that something was missing in her life.

Tyler Alexander and Josie have been friends for years. He is all about himself and his career. Tyler offers Josie a marriage of convenience with a one year commitment—so he can make partner at his law firm. The author does a fabulous job scripting this piece of the story. Tyler knows Josie is feeling left out and he pushes at Josie to accept his offer and then disappears on a work assignment.

Tyler’s older brother, Daniel Alexander has returned home after 15 years in the navy. The former Navy Seal and his partners have started a security business. The instant attraction between Daniel and Josie was HOT. The undeniable chemistry paired with Josie’s commitment to Tyler was perfectly written and I rooted for Josie and Daniel to own their feelings.

You May Kiss the Groomsman is a fun twist on the marriage of convenience storyline. The charming characters, the steamy romance and the family drama kept me engaged in this book. The relationship between Skye, Lea and Josie changes and develops during each novel. Loved that their commitment to each other and their growing business remained strong as they balanced their love and work lives.

Samantha Chase scores a hat trick with the Meet Me at the Altar series! Each novel is filed with engaging characters and heartfelt romance. I love that this series is a little edgier, the romance is more sensuous and the each couple faces different challenges.

Am wondering who will Meet Xander and Knox At The Altar?

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the Author

Worth The Fall by Claudia Connor - Audio Version

Worth The Fall

By Claudia Connor

☆☆☆☆☆

Audio Version

 Worth the Fall is the first book of this series.
It is a story of such deep thorough romance,
you have to hope for them.
Matt is a single Seal. Handsome, tough
and determined. He knows what he wants.
He has made promises to his military
brothers. He is focused. Matt feels like
that is what makes a man a man. Keeping
his promises. Standing up for what he
believes is right.

 Abby is at the beach. A widow with
four little children and beautifully blooming,
pregnant with child number 5. Abby has always
had to take care of herself. She knows how to
do it all on her own.

 Now, you may be thinking that a story like
that cant be very realistic or romantic.
That a guy like that would never really be
able to make a life with a woman in that
position. Four and a half children!?
But it so works. It is such a romantic
story. I kept hoping that Matt was for real.
Can they make it work? Can anyone take
on such a large number of kids?
Plus a woman that does not need him.
I wanted it to work out so much with
Matt and Abby!! But there are so many
points in the story you are sure it is
not going to happen.
Its a story full of hope beyond hope.
 
Its sweet fun narration. And a
wonderful story.

I bought my copy from Audible.com
Review by Lisa Hutson


 

 

Worth The Fall by Claudia Connor

Worth The Fall

by Claudia Connor

It has been a very long time since I read a book

that struck me so hard. A book that I seriously did not
want to put down.
Worth The Fall starts out on the beach. I have noticed that
the beach can be a magical place in many romance stories.
Not so much here. It starts out nice but not magical.
Abby has brought her four children to the beach for
a family get away. She is pregnant and a widow. Does
not sound real magical, does it?
Matt is a SEAL. At the beach recovering from an injury.
He is also dealing with death. Matts best friend died out
on a mission. He feels compelled to recover physically
to get back into combat.
That's the background. As everyone is trying to
recover in their own way, Matt gets hit on his back
with a football. Really, that's how this amazing
wonderful love story starts.

Abby is a strong woman. But still, fragile.
Recovering from her husbands death as
well as raising 4 children by herself and
pregnant too.
Matt is tough but feeling unsure of what he
wants in his future. He has made a promise.
But he still isn't sure what he wants for himself.

The kids are fabulous characters. I know the
story sounds a little far fetched. But the writing
and the characters are so real. You can feel it all deep
into your own heart. Just about the time the hero makes
a big mistake. I was sure the story was ruined. No way
can he recover from this mistake.
But he does. The story does. It is so well done.
I loved it. Easily my favorite book this year.
Ms Connor is a new writer for me. Worth The Fall
is book one of this series.

  I bought my kindle copy from Amazon.
This review by Lisa Hutson

Wind Chime Cafe by Sophie Moss

Wind Chime Café

by Sophie Moss

I came across this story on my kindle. Do you ever

do that? Just see a story somewhere and feel drawn to

read it? Even if you don't know the author? Or have any

connection to it?
That's how this was. I have never read Sophie Moss.
But I felt like I just had to read it.
Thank goodness!
It has been a wonderful, heart touching, demanding,

real life, emotional story. The characters were

wildly diverse. And still, came together beautifully.

I could not wait from moment to moment to find

out what was going to happen.

Annie Malone is a single mom. She is not always

lovable. She has a lovely eight year old daughter,

Taylor. Taylor is in an emotionally fragile place.

Sometimes, Annie puts people off in the process of

protecting Taylor. But she is putting everything on the

line on Heron Island to make a new, safe,
comfortable life for the two of them.

Will Dozier is a Navy Seal trying to get

a hold of his own life. He grew up here on

Heron Island. But he has not been home for

10 years. He is being forced to be here to take

care of his grandparents homestead. And do it

in such a way that it stays true to their memory.

Taylor and Will have everything in common.

Even though she is an 8 year old girl and he is

a grown man and Navy Seal. The emotions everyone

in this story goes through are written so well. They will

all settle deep in your heart. You will picture

the diner and the beach. You will hear the wind

chimes. You will feel the children in their pure

happiness and then in desperate fear.

Its been some time since I read a story that has

touched me so much. There are no slow times. Its

not all hard. But it flows and moves along steady.

I really loved this story.

Review by Lisa Hutson