Susan's Review Of Just Say Yes, Can't Say No & Don't Say Maybe By Cindy Kirk-- Silver Creek Series Books 1-3

Cindy Kirk's Silver Creek series is fantastic! I loved the tie in to the author's Good Hope series. The engaging characters, the sizzling romance and the family drama kept me reading.

Just Say Yes
Britt Appleton in Colorado, staying in the new Silver Creek complex, trying to meet Denver’s Most Eligible Bachelor before her job interview but having no luck. At least she’s made two new friends since arriving in the Mile-High City; JR’s grandmother and a construction worker, Amos Lee. The scruffily-sexy carpenter couldn’t be more different than the clean-cut JR, but Britt finds herself falling head over heels in love.
Review
Just Say Yes is an engaging, character driven contemporary novel by Cindy Kirk. Brittany Appleton and JR Driskill appeared in the author’s Bachelor Games in Good Hope which featured Britt’s sister Bea. Although they were in town at the same time the couple never crossed paths in Good Hope. Britt makes a bold move by using JR as a reference when she applies for a social media position in one of his family’s businesses. I found this piece of the storyline enjoyable and engaging—I had to see how it played out.
Britt arrives in Denver for a job interview only to learn that the meeting has been postponed. She’s between jobs and is counting on winning the position with the Colorado Grizzlies football team. Britt meets Amos Lee and they have an instant connection; Britt is drawn to the intelligent sexy carpenter and Amos is wowed by Britt’s positive go getter attitude and generous spirit. I loved, loved the chemistry between Britt and Amos.
I love Cindy Kirk’s voice—she blends family, romance with real life situations. Just Say Yes is perfectly paced and the plot conflict is relatable and draws the reader into the story. The novel had the perfect amount of romance and unexpected plot twists to keep me intrigued.


Can’t Say No
Having secured a position as social media specialist for the Colorado Grizzlies--the football team owned by the Driskills—Britt is determined to prove her worth. Worried her ties to JR might cause her boss, JR’s sister, Nyla, to dismiss her abilities, she asks JR to keep their relationship private.

JR wants to support Britt and agrees to her request. But keeping their growing love under-wraps is easier said than done. When their relationship is splashed across gossip sites, Britt’s reputation takes a hit.

Review

Can’t Say No is the second book in Cindy Kirk’s Silver Creek series. The complex family relationships, the compelling drama and the multi-faceted characters intrigued me.
Cindy Kirk has created the perfect balance between emotional, passionate romance and family drama in this novel. The romance between Britt and JR and the sensual relationship between Nyla and Deron drew me into the story. Britt and JR’s relationship is tested several times during the story. Nyla holds herself to a high professional standard—so high that her decisions impact members of her family and the family business. Each couple had secrets—secrets that when revealed will shake the Driskill family personally and professionally. Can’t Say No is a well written contemporary novel. Family relationships between siblings, parents and grandparents are explored. Cindy Kirk wowed me with the storyline, superb dialogue and the many surprising plot twists.
If you are looking for a well plotted contemporary romance, pick up a copy of Can’t Say No!

Don't Say Maybe

Deron has been in love with Nyla since they were seventeen, stealing glances in the hallways of their high school. Running across her in Paris, far from family and prying eyes, was his hoped-for miracle. He knows they could be so good together, if she would just give him a chance.
While they agreed what happened in Paris must end there, the feelings that have grown between them can’t be denied. When the truth is revealed, both will be tested on how far they are willing to go for love.
Review
Don’t Say Maybe is a steamy contemporary novel filled with secrets and family drama. The third book in Cindy Kirk’s Silver Creek series features Nyla Driskill and Deron Flock. The intensity of their secret romance surprised and intrigued me.
Deron asks Nyla to take over a mentoring a group of recent college graduates. I was not sure if Nyla was up to the challenge of counselling and guiding the group through the job search. Nyla lived and breathed her job and often put it before her family. During each meeting, Nyla offered suggestions, solved issues and provided support.
The program enables the author to showcase the positives of Nyla’s business experiences. Deron attends the meetings as an observer and Nyla appreciates his support—this strengthens their relationship. The real benefit of the mentorship group—Nyla is provided with the opportunity to reassess her own life.
Cindy Kirk engages the reader with the forbidden romance aspect of the novel. Deron and Nyla decide to keep their relationship a secret because of the long standing, bitter feud between their families. I loved that the couple was given an opportunity to explore their relationship away from family and work pressures. Don’t Say Maybe is filled with dynamic characters, superb dialogue and a passionate romance.
Deron and Nyla’s off the charts romance drew me into the story but, the well plotted storyline kept me turning the pages to its satisfying conclusion!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARCs provided by the author

Susan's Review of Lost in Paris by Elizabeth Thompson

When a deed to an apartment in Paris turns up in an old attic trunk, an estranged mother and daughter must reunite to uncover the secret life of a family matriarch.

Hannah Bond has always been a bookworm, which is why she fled Florida—and her unstable, alcoholic mother—for a quiet life leading Jane Austen-themed tours through the British countryside. But on New Year’s Eve, everything comes crashing down when she arrives back at her London flat to find her mother, Marla, waiting for her.

 
Marla’s brought two things with her: a black eye from her ex-boyfriend and an envelope. Its contents? The deed to an apartment in Paris, an old key, and newspaper clippings about the death of a famous writer named Andres Armand. Hannah, wary of her mother’s motives, reluctantly agrees to accompany her to Paris, where against all odds, they discover great-grandma Ivy’s apartment frozen in 1940 and covered in dust.

 
Inside the apartment, Hannah and Marla discover mysterious clues about Ivy’s life—including a diary detailing evenings of drinking and dancing with Hemingway, the Fitzgeralds, and other iconic expats. Outside, they retrace her steps through the city in an attempt to understand why she went to such great lengths to hide her Paris identity from future generations.

 
A heartwarming and charming saga set in the City of Lights, Lost in Paris is an unforgettable celebration of family and the love between a mother and a daughter.

I thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth Thompson’s novel Lost in Paris. The novel is filled with unique characters, romance and secrets which span four generations.

Loved Elizabeth Thompson’s voice—-the vivid descriptions of Paris and its sights and sounds, and the people drew me into the story. I loved the pages where Marla and Hannah get lost in Paris the minute they step off the train from London. I imagined I was walking the streets of Paris with them. I could hear the street noise, see the architecture and the feel the joie de vivre of the city.

Elizabeth Thompson’s choice to use Ivy’s diary to connect the past to the present was executed flawlessly. Ivy’s story comes to life as Hannah reads each page—this drew me into the story. The diary provided insight into Ivy, her life and Paris during this exciting time as Paris established itself as a home to members of The Lost Generation. The author’s descriptive writing style shines as Ivy becomes part of the F Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemmingway and Gertrude Stein social circle.

The relationships between four generations of the same family are perfectly intertwined throughout the book. Marla and Hannah’s relationship is complicated at best and I really enjoyed their honest, heartfelt and often frustrating conversations. Lost in Paris is filled with great secondary characters; Hannah’s roommates: Cressida and Tallulah as well as Aiden and Gabriel.

Lost in Paris has all of the story elements that I adore—intrigue, romance and complex family relationships. Like a red wine, Lost in Paris should be savored slowly for its blend of dynamic characters and well-paced storyline. Lost in Paris is a special vintage—ENJOY!
Reviewed by Susan Gorman
ARC provided by Net Galley
Photo by Pilat

Elizabeth Thompson is a lifelong Francophile with a degree in journalism. She loves food, books, and art. Lost in Paris is her first novel for Simon and Schuster‘s Gallery Books. She currently resides in Tennessee with her husband and their Pembroke Welsh corgi, Luna.

For pre-order information, take a look Elizabeth's Blog HERE!

BUY LINKS

Simon & Schuster  | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Target

The Grace Kelly Dress by Brenda Janowitz - Audio version

The Grace Kelly Dress

 by Brenda Janowitz

★★★★★

It doesn't take many words to explain

what this book is about. It really says

it all there on the cover. 

But as you would think, there is so much

more to the story. So much more to the

dress. So much more to the people that

make these dresses. And perhaps, so 

much more to Brenda Janowitz. 

When you are reading about women

from three generations, you have to 

guess that you will come across a

 lot of emotion. Kindness. Generosity.

Imagination. Romance, of course. 

And so many secrets. 

As you listen to the descriptions of 

everything narrated by

Cassandra Campbell, you can close 

your eyes to see it all. You can see

the Grace Kelly Dress. The writing

is beautifully done. So a good 

narrator can spoil your imagination

as you relax. 

A story like this is meant for a woman

that enjoys fashion and romance. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

Paris is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay - audio version

Paris is Always a Good Idea

by Jenn McKinlay

 ★★★★★

I want to start my review by saying the title first drew

me to the story. Then, I took a listen to the sample and

found the narrator to be pleasant. That is what it took

to get me to listen to Jenn McKinlay and her story,

Paris is Always a Good Idea. 

Chelsea Martin finds herself deep in hard feelings with

her family. We all find that happening sometimes. It's the worst.

It's even harder when you know you're behaving badly

and immature. You know you're doing it. But you just 

cannot help yourself. 

So Chelsea takes off on a trip. A trip full of mostly wonderful

memories. She is hoping that replaying the romance and

happiness from this trip will help her come to terms with the

family issues she is struggling with. 

She makes her way from Ireland to France to Italy. Only to 

find, of course, everything she is looking for is right back

where she started. At home. With her family.

The life she has built for herself. The people that make up 

that life. 

Great memories are good and all. But they aren't always

a part of your real long term life. It's a fun story. 

Constant fast pace. And of course, romance. 

I borrowed this from my library. 

Review by Lisa Hutson