Meant for You --- Samantha Chase

Lady Celeste Interviews author Samantha Chase

LC: I loved the Alaska setting in Meant For You. It seemed like the perfect spot for a romantic hideaway. have you ever visited Alaska?

SC : Unfortunately, I have not. However, it is actually a dream vacation that my husband and I are planning so the timing worked out great for the research. It's one of those bucket list trips!

LC: Summer has many interests. Dog walking, yoga, hiking--are these things you like to do?

SC: Summer is way more outdoorsy than I am, I'm ashamed to say! I do enjoy some of the hobbies she does but, just the really scaled back versions. She's the woman I wish I could be.

LC: Zach and Gabriella---- Is there a book in the works for them?

SC: YES!! And I am super excited for it! It's actually written and in the first round of edits. You can expect to see it on the shelves this December and it's called THERE FOR YOU.

William Montgomery sets another one of his matchmaking plans in motion when he suggests that his niece Summer relocate to the company's Portland, Oregon office. Summer's father, Robert is not too thrilled with the idea at first but agrees to let his daughter learn more about the family business.

Meant For You is the fifth book in Samantha Chase's Montgomery series. It's a delightful, well crafted, character driven romance. I fell in love with the four main characters: Summer, her brother Zach, Zach's best friend Ethan and Gabriella, Zach's assistant in the first chapter.

The Portland office of Montgomery Enterprises is in turmoil. Company president Zach Montgomery is about to leave on a mountain climbing trip when he learns that his sister Summer has left Portland for a weekend getaway. Both Ethan and Gabriella remind Zach that he and Summer have been arguing non -stop about business and whether or not Zach should go on the mountain climbing trip. Zach, who refers to Summer as a "corporate Barbie", assumes the worst and suggests to Ethan and Gabriella that flighty Summer has gone away for the weekend with a boyfriend. Ethan offers to find Summer while Zach gets ready for his trip. Ethan locates Summer at a rustic retreat and discovers that her date is actually her puppy, a three month old pug named Maylene.

Ethan and Summer discuss Zach and the climbing trip:

"Most people go through life too scared to take a risk." he continued.

"I don't want to have any regrets and neither does Zach."

"Tell me that you understand. Would you be able to live with yourself if you never took any risks?"

"You're right Ethan." She said quietly. "Everyone needs to take risks."

"Exactly, I am glad that you agree."

"Oh, I do." She said right before she stood up on her toes, wrapped her arms around Ethan's neck and pressed her lips to his.


The kiss changes everything. Ethan realizes the depth of his feelings for Summer. He realizes that he has kept his feelings for Summer to himself for fear of not being good enough for her or her over protective family. Ethan decides not to go on the climbing trip with Zach and chooses to spend time in Alaska to sort through his feelings. Summer and Gabriella decide to vacation in Alaska as well.

I wondered if Gabriella was working on William's matching team as the three of them end up staying at the same resort. Gabriella encourages Summer to take a chance and explore her feelings towards Ethan.

Each one of the characters is appealing and I loved that the author had four strong lead characters in the book. The focus was on Summer and Ethan but each of the characters were well developed and played an important role in the story. I adored the character of Summer Montgomery. She is a warm friendly person who observes people and gets to know them on a personal level. This is an asset in a corporate environment which her older brother Zach chooses to ignore. Summer has many strengths and is trying to prove herself and find her place in the Montgomery family and in the family business. Zach is an independent risk taker who is used to being in charge. He dismisses Summer and her suggestions because she doesn't agree with him. Ethan is struggling to figure out who he is. Is he independent, a risk taker or just Zach's friend and follower? Gabriella is a fabulous character. She is smart, organized and a loyal friend.

Both the characters and the storylines in Meant For You held my interest. I read the book in two afternoons. The story was well paced, contained great dialogue and the romance was well written. I enjoyed the story, especially the ending where Summer surprised every male Montgomery! Yay!

Kudos to Samantha Chase for creating such a fabulous character!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by Sourcebooks.

Graphic provided by Samantha Chase.

Return To You-- Samantha Chase

I am so glad that I found Samantha Chase's Montgomery series last month! Reading Return to You and Meant for You made me forget all about the snowy weather outside! In both novels,  the storylines are realistic and well-paced and the characters are believable and their emotions and actions are spot on. 

Second chance at love is my favorite romance genre. I love when a couple has the chance for a romantic do over. Who doesn't wonder if their first love was the one?

William Montgomery has decided to take on a big challenge in his new hobby as family matchmaker. William has a good idea of what transpired between his nephew James Montgomery and his girlfriend Selena Ainsley ten years ago. With the help of his nephew and Selena's friend Jen Lawsen, William has put a plan in motion to reunite his nephew with his first and only love.

Jen Lawsen works a bit of magic and sets the scene for James and Selena to meet. She convinces Selena to travel home to New York to help put on their tenth high school reunion. Jen stops by the police station and asks James for some advice as she is being harassed by an ex -boyfriend. While speaking to James, Jen mentions that Selena is coming to town to coordinate the reunion. 

Selena and James meet face -to -face after an attempted break in at Jen's home. Sparks fly and it's apparent that the couple has unresolved feelings for each other. Both characters have grown and changed in the ten years that they have been apart. Can this strong willed couple deal with their past and move towards a future together?

Samantha Chase has written an excellent story about young love, tragedy and forgiveness. Loved the strong willed heroine and her brooding hero. Ten years ago, a car accident impacted both Selena and James.  Ms. Chase  provides the reader with enough back story to understand what influenced James and Selena decisions at that time. Both the heroine and heroes perspectives are honestly presented during the course of the story. Loved the conversations between James and Selena as they sorted through the aftermath of the accident. Both of them were angry, hurt, devastated and expressed their feelings to each other. The emotional story line held my interest and I really wanted the couple to forgive each other.  I appreciated that the characters had to work for their happiness and learn to trust each other and their feelings. 

Was William Montgomery's plan to reunite James and Selena a success? Spend an afternoon with the Montgomery clan to see if William was able to find the perfect match for James!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by Sourcebooks.

While You Were Spying -- Shana Galen

Shana Galen's regency spy books are must reads for me. They contain the right amount of passion, humor and adventure. Ms. Galen does not write a formula regency novel. Each one of her stories has unique characters and storylines. Ms. Galen writes characters - heroes, heroines and (gasp) villains -- that resonate with me. I loved her Regency Spy series and was thrilled to hear that she was publishing While You Were Spying, the prequel to her Regency Spy series.

Francesca Dashing falls into the Earl of Winterbourne's arms while she is sneaking around a neighbors stables. She is trying to help an abused horse. Winterbourne has been sent to Hampshire by the Foreign Office to investigate a local smuggling ring and capture it's leader. Francesca intrigues him and after she is mysteriously attacked Ethan is determined to protect her.

Ms. Galen has created a cast of memorable characters in this book. Both the heroine and hero have secrets. Francesca has returned home to the country after a broken engagement. She is strong willed, feisty and loves her chocolate treats and gingerbread. Francesca has a small animal hospital where she devotes herself to injured and abused animals. Winterbourne is a spy ; a very handsome, sexy spy with auburn hair and amber eyes. He is visiting his brothers estate to ferret out the leader of a local smuggling group. Winterbourne believes that the attacks on Francesca are not random. He senses that Cesca has not been totally honest with him concerning her broken betrothal with Roxbury. Winterbourne's valet, Pocket and Cesca's mother, Lady Brigham are my favorite secondary characters. Pocket has Ethan's best wishes in mind whether he is handing him a glass of brandy, brushing dirt off of his suits or helping him put together a romantic picnic supper. Lady Brigham is a hoot. She is quite busy trying to marry off Cesca to Ethan and her love of all things Italian will make you laugh (and laugh).

Shana Galen adds several additional elements to this story which make it stand apart from a typical regency adventure. The author includes two social issues which are not standard fare in a regency adventure; body image and physical abuse. Francesca's Mother admonishes her daughter in Italian when Cesca reaches for a chocolate tart when they share tea with Winterbourne. Lady Brigham announces to Winterbourne that "Francesca may not be la bella di famiglia --that title is usually given to my younger daughter--but you will not find a sweeter girl in all of England."

His finger rested on the center of her bottom lip. He swiped it gently across her skin, and as he pulled away, she saw a smudge of chocolate on his skin. She watched, trembling, as he put the finger in his mouth and slowly licked it clean.

"And Francesca?"

"Yes." At least that was the word she meant to form, she dragged her eyes back to his, breath coming fast,

"I might even find a way into your dreams."

While You Were Spying is full of romance, intrigue and passion. The storyline is well - paced and the last few chapters are suspenseful. What sets this novel apart from other adventure stories is that the characters have everyday experiences. Both Ethan and Francesca have been disappointed in love, how they approach their situations adds authenticity to both their characters and the story. Can Francesca and Ethan put their pasts behind them and learn to trust each other?

I found the resolution to be rewarding. I just loved this book; from the very regency inspired cover to the chocolate loving heroine and her passionate hero to the suspense filled conclusion. Why You Were Spying is a must read for Ms. Galen's many fans!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
ARC provided by author.