Susan's Review of Finding Home in Good Hope by Cindy Kirk--Good Hope Series #16

From friendship to forever...
Star stylist Gianna Ricci doesn’t do roots. Not in hair and not in hometowns. A lifetime of being shuffled from place to place means nowhere has ever felt like home. When she arrives in Good Hope, Gianna expects more of the same.
Few families have stronger ties to Good Hope than Ethan Shaw’s. Yet it’s not just legacy that keeps Ethan local. He truly loves his community of family, friends, and neighbors. The only thing missing in his perfect life is the perfect woman.
When Ethan meets Gianna, he’s instantly smitten. Though Gianna isn’t looking for a relationship, she can’t deny the feelings Ethan reawakens. Just when it seems she is finally ready to let down the walls she’s built around her heart, a mutual friend makes a startling confession. Will this revelation send Gianna packing once again? Or will she and Ethan find a way to move from friendship to forever


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Cindy Kirk pairs entrepreneur Ethan Shaw and hair stylist Gianna Ricci in Finding Home in Good Hope. Gianna is a newcomer to Good Hope and the author’s choice of pairing the couple drew me into the novel.

Ethan Shaw and Gianna Ricci meet at Marigold Rallis’s New Year’s Eve party. They form a tentative friendship over champagne and appetizers. This does not go unnoticed by the town’s matchmaker Gladys Berthholf. She has decided that Ethan and Gianna would make the perfect couple. Gladys is reminded by her friend Ruby that Oaklee Marshall thinks of Ethan as hers.

Cindy Kirk’s choice to incorporate a love triangle into this story was an excellent decision. There are several complications; Oaklee is friendly with Gianna, she thinks she’s in love with Ethan and she has helped Gladys match several couples. Cindy Kirk writes a fabulous story for Oaklee. The author’s descriptive writing style shines during the scene where Gladys announces that Ethan will be matched with Gianna, not Oaklee--it’s heartbreaking, compassionate and loaded with emotion. Gladys’s announcement causes a rift between the longtime friends and provides Oaklee with the breathing room to grow from the experience.

I liked the chemistry between Ethan and Gianna and that Ethan understood Gianna‘s hesitation in beginning a new relationship. Ethan made a conscious decision to keep things friendly-so Gianna wouldn’t be scared off. I laughed when I read Ethan’s reaction to answering Gladys’s relationship card questions and hoped the cards would deal him a winning hand. Knowing that there was chemistry between the couple made reading their slow burn romance very enjoyable.

Finding Home in Good Hope is an entertaining read filled with emotion, heartbreak and romance. I love the Good Hope series because of the strong sense of community, caring and friendship. I adore Cindy Kirk’s voice as she weaves themes of friendship, family and relationships in each novel.

I adored Finding Good Hope because of its theme of finding your forever love—it was the perfect Valentine’s Day weekend read.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Book purchased through Amazon.

Susan's Favorite Christmas Stories -Christmas at Two Love Lane

This year, I'm featuring some of my favorite Christmas stories starting with my review from 2017 of Christmas at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer, .  You won't want to miss this one, it’s one of my favorites - I loved Deacon and Macy's story--and the secondary characters were awesome. Think 4 corgis!

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?

Kieran Kramer is one of my go to authors. I adore her books because she excels at creating slice-of-life novels. Ms. Kramer creates characters that resonate with the reader and she crafts emotional, heartfelt storylines which draw the reader into the story. In Christmas at Two Love Lane, Ms. Kramer pairs Deacon Banks, a savvy New York City businessman with Macy Frost, a charming Charleston, South Carolina socialite and matchmaker.

I adored the premise of this holiday themed romance. Deacon is spending the month of December in Charleston visiting with his newly retired aunt. Fran Banks is a famous talk show host who has relocated to Charleston with her houseman George and four corgis. Deacon knows his aunt is a force to be reckoned with but, wants to please her because Fran raised him after his parents died. Fran’s fondest desire? She’d love Deacon to marry, preferably a southern girl, so she can be part of the Charleston society. Deacon’s gift to Fran for Christmas? A series of dates arranged by Macy’s matchmaking business.

Deacon Banks epitomizes my image of a New York business man; he’s determined, resourceful and goes after what he wants. He doesn’t believe in love and doesn’t understand Macy’s calling as a matchmaker. I enjoyed the back and forth banter between Macy and Deacon; their conversations were heartfelt, funny and honest and their chemistry sizzled from the first page of the book. The romance between the couple is well paced. Deacon was attracted to Macy and with each one of his dates it was apparent that he was falling for her. The author does a fabulous job integrating the cast of secondary characters into the story. Loved George’s relationships with Fran and Deacon; their conversations were spot on and added spice to the novel. Deacon makes a strategic error in his pursuit of Macy. Can she forgive him when she uncovers the truth?

Christmas at Two Love Lane is a delightful read! The charming, larger than life characters, the witty dialogue, the southern setting add to this sweet perfectly paced romance. I can’t wait for the next story in the series.

Thank you Kieran from the Rose-Haven corgis for the shout out! You captured the corgi spirit and fondness for snacks perfectly!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by St Martin's Press

(This interview was from 2017)

When do the holidays official start for you?
Thanksgiving Day, as soon as I turn on the TV to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade! Can’t miss the Rockettes segment, ever!

What’s your favorite thing about the holidays?
Inhaling the delicious scent of the Christmas tree, seeing the twinkling lights, hanging out with the family and our friends.

Are there any holiday traditions you do every year without fail?
I always make frosted sugar cookies, and I always try to watch as many Christmas movies as I can. I also try to go to the Holiday Boat Parade in Charleston harbor!

What’s your favorite holiday movie?
It’s a Wonderful Life; I never get tired of it!

Do you have a favorite holiday book?
Definitely How the Grinch Stole Christmas….

What’s your all-time favorite holiday song?
Away in the Manger sung by Julie Andrews–the UK version of the melody

What’s your favorite activity during fall or winter?
baking bread, using my crockpot, reading cozy books, buying myself winter clothes, going to parties, eating holiday cookies

What’s your favorite gift you’ve ever received or given?
My favorite gift is having my family all together in one place. Nothing matters more. Sometimes we can’t all be together, so I cherish the Christmases that we can celebrate under one roof.

Do you have any items on your wish list this year?
Yes, having my own little family together again–the last two years some of us have been overseas. But if I have to mention something from the store, I’d love to have some canvases and paint and painting lessons!

Any resolutions or goals for next year?
Yes, to slow down and get centered, to really look around each day and marvel at this beautiful world filled with people who all want to love and be loved. I refuse to let the haters in. Oh, and I have to keep dancing to my Alexa, haha!!

USA Today bestselling author Kieran Kramer writes fun romance novels for St. Martin's Press. SECOND CHANCE AT TWO LOVE LANE is on sale August 28, 2018! A former journalist and English teacher, Kieran's also a game show veteran, karaoke enthusiast, and general adventurer. She lives where she grew up-in the Lowcountry of South Carolina-with her family. Find her on Instagram (her favorite place to hang out), as well as on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and at her website. 

Watch Christmas at Two Love Lane's  video here;         

https://animoto.com/play/HexKofxdqY0QFECWuXSe8A