Kiss Me That Way by Laura Trentham - Review

Kiss Me That Way is an engaging story set in the small, southern town of Cottonbloom. Author Laura Trentham has created an unusual setting which appealed to me. The town of Cottonbloom is set in two different states and is divided by a river. One side of town is wealthy Cottonbloom, Mississippi and the blue collar side of town is located in Louisiana. The author does a fabulous job of comparing and contrasting the residents from both sides of town. I loved the quirky townspeople in this slice -of l-life novel, especially Uncle Delmar and the Quilting Bees.

The first chapter of the book introduces Cade Fournette and Monroe Kirby and provides their back story. The reader learns that on the Louisiana side of Cottonbloom, Cade grew up quickly after his parents were killed by a drunk driver. He was determined to keep his family together and worked several jobs to provide for food and shelter for himself, as well as for his younger brother and sister. Cade regularly crosses the river into Mississippi to poach rabbits and fish. One evening while hunting, Cade finds thirteen-year old Monroe Kirby sitting in his boat which he has hidden by the river on the Mississippi side of town. Monroe has run away from her home because her mother’s drunk boyfriend tried to rape her. Cade walks Monroe home that evening and their five year secret friendship begins. The pair meet monthly until Cade suddenly disappears without a word leaving Monroe heartbroken.

The present day story begins in the second chapter as Monroe is shocked to find an injured Cade in her physical therapy office. Even though she hasn’t seen him in ten years, Monroe has kept up with him through her best friend, Cade’s sister Tally. Monroe agrees to treat Cade, who has injured himself while climbing a cliff. The author does a fabulous job establishing the realistic development of Monroe and Cade’s romance. Even though Monroe and Cade share a past—he was her knight in shining armor—they are very different now. Both characters have unresolved self-esteem and trust issues from their childhood. In addition to her job as a physical therapist, Monroe teaches a self-defense class and works with teenage girls. Cade is a savvy, wealthy businessman who is based on the west coast. The chemistry between the couple sizzles and the author’s descriptive writing style allows the reader to see Cade and Monroe deal with social and emotional challenges as their romance progresses.

Kudos to Laura Trentham for tackling the subjects of abuse and alcoholism in the novel. These themes are woven subtly throughout the novel. Kiss Me That Way has all of the elements of a contemporary novel that appeal to me. It presents an original, passionate love story with well-crafted main and secondary characters, lots of humor and a unique setting. The author blended the right amount of humor, passion and angst in the novel. The novel’s conclusion was superb, not what I expected but perfect for the couple and their story.

This is the first book written by Laura Trentham that I have read. I enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Edited by Brian McGee

Spotlight on Saddle Up by Victoria Vane

Saddle Up by Victoria Vane

Series: Hot Cowboy Nights, Book 4

ISBN: 9781492635109

Release Date: June 7, 2016

Genre: Contemporary Western Romance

About the Book

Award-winning author Victoria Vane lets loose the fourth in the Hot Cowboy Nights series

WILD HORSES COULDN’T BRING THEM TOGETHER...

With exceptional talent and looks, cowboy “horse whisperer” Keith Russo once had the world at his feet — until his career was unwittingly destroyed by an aspiring filmmaker. After being rejected by his family for exploiting his Native American heritage, Keith has no choice but to turn back to his humble beginnings as a wild horse wrangler.

BUT MAYBE THEIR PASSION CAN...

Miranda Sutton always dreamed of making films, until wild mustangs captured her heart. But turning her grandmother’s Montana ranch into a wild horse sanctuary proves harder than she thought. She needs someone who knows wild horses. Keith and the mustangs need each other. And while working together to save the herd, Keith and Miranda discover a passion as wild as the mustangs they love.

Buy the Book

Amazon: http://amzn.to/23eSChU 

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1N8r4sV

iBooks: http://apple.co/1SUYRIb

Books A Million: http://bit.ly/1XYVY7A

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1VYiZti

                                                                        Indiebound: http://bit.ly/26CmdXi

 About the Author

Victoria Vane is a multiple award-winning romance novelist and history junkie whose collective works of fiction range from wildly comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance. Victoria also writes historical fiction as Emery Lee and is the founder of the Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers Goodreads group and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog. She lives on the east coast of Florida.

Connect with Victoria

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Old West Trivia with Victoria Vane

Mustangs are descendants of Spanish colonial horses that were brought to the Americas by Conquistadors in the 16th century. Their name was derived from the Spanish word mustengo, which means "ownerless beast" or "stray horse." In the wild, these horses bred with other types of horses, including quarter horses and draft horses, to create the wild horse breed we know today.

Excerpt from SADDLE UP

“I can’t believe this whole experience,” she said. “It’s like a weird dream. Do people really live like this? With poisonous snakes and horse-eating lions?”

“Where I come from they do. We coexist with many predators, including wolves and grizzlies. I thought you said your grandparents have a ranch. Didn’t you ever encounter any wildlife there?”

“It’s actually just my grandma’s now. We rode horses and played around with the cattle, but I never experienced anything like this before.”

He chuckled. “You aren’t in Kansas anymore, Dorothy.”

“Funny you said that. The Wizard of Oz is my favorite film. I’ve watched it thirteen times, part of which was a twenty-four hour marathon.”

“I don’t understand you.” He shook his head with a wry smile. “How can you watch the same film over and over when you already know what’s going to happen?”

“Because every time I watch it I focus on a different character and try to experience the events through his or her eyes. It’s all about the journey, not the destination.”

“Which character do you best identify with?” he asked.

“Well, usually it’s usually Dorothy, given that we’re both country girls and my experience in L.A. was all too much like hers in Oz, but I have to admit that tonight I’m identifying a lot more with the cowardly lion.”

“If that’s so, I have something that might help.” He reached beneath his shirt for a leather cord that he pulled over his head.

“What is it?” she asked, fingering the object that hung from the necklace.

“A grizzly tooth. It was my boo-ha-gant.” He slipped it over her head. “Now it’s yours.” He smiled into her eyes. “It will give you courage, but you must keep it secret, or it’ll lose its powers.”

“Courage? So this is really how you killed that snake? Won’t you lose your superpowers without it?”

“No.” He stroked a finger along her collarbone above where the tooth lay nestled between her breasts. “For the record, you have yet to know my true superpowers. We were interrupted before I could demonstrate them to you.”

Her face flushed. “You do think a lot of yourself, don’t you?”

He brought his finger back up to her mouth to trace her lips. “Let’s just say I wouldn’t have disappointed you.”

But disappointment reflected in her eyes. “Well, I guess we’ll never know now, will we?”

“No,” he replied, regretfully. “We never will.” He wasn’t likely ever to see her again, but in their short time together he’d opened up more with her than he had with anyone else in years. “Are you sorry you came?” he asked.

She exhaled a soft sigh. “No. Even with all that happened, I’m still glad I came.”

Maybe her answer shouldn’t have surprised him, but it did. This day had put her mettle to the test, revealing a strength she probably didn’t even know she possessed. She still had so much to learn about herself. He would have enjoyed the chance to watch her journey, but it wasn’t meant to be. There was no point in dwelling on it. The opportunity was lost. Tomorrow they’d find the missing horses and part ways.

He pulled her head onto his chest and stroked her hair. “Sleep now, Aiwattsi. I’ll keep you safe.”

Review

Saddle Up by Victoria Vane

Victoria Vane is known for her sexy romance novels. Saddle Up is not your average cowboy romance—it’s so much better! The author blends the character’s passions: filmmaking and horses and crafts a passionate story which will tug at your heartstrings.

The chemistry between Keith Russo and Miranda Sutton sizzles and the author blends their passions into the story. Their opposites attract romance has a very rocky start and I enjoyed that the author wrote a romance with two strong willed characters. Miranda is a self- contained person who is devoted to her work as a filmmaker. It’s her passion. Keith is part Native American and he traded on his heritage for monetary gain. His family has questioned his motives and are not pleased with him. Most of the story takes place on Miranda’s grandmother’s ranch in Montana and the author’s superb descriptive writing style transports the reader to the ranch. I could see the horses, the fence line and smell JoJo’s coffee. Great dialogue between the couple helps the reader understand the couples desire to work together to save the wild mustangs.  This goal is at the forefront of this compelling novel and it is what makes this novel stand out in the series.

I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to the author‘s next book.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Wildest Dreams by Robyn Carr - Audio version

Wildest Dreams

by Robyn Carr

Audio version

Wildest Dreams is Book 9 in

the Thunder Point series.



I have read most of the books from this series. They

are all wonderful. While they are connected. Either by

the location of Thunder Point or by characters that are

involved. They are easily stand alone stories.

Wildest Dreams is a terrific story of a couple of very tough

determined people. Lin Su has raised her son, Charlie

entirely on her own. She is a fierce protector for him.
She went to nursing school as she raised Charlie. Now

she can support him. She has to pinch pennies but she

can make it work.

Blake Smiley grew up in very hard times. He has pulled

himself into a position of financial success. A professional

triathlete with plans for his future.

Blake is attracted to Lin Su from the first minute

he sees her. But she is having no part of the flirting

or attraction. Blake is not ready to give up.
He feels like Lin Su is his meant to be.
Its all going well until Lin Su finds out that Charlie

has been digging into her past. She never wanted

her son to know much of it and so she kept it

from him. Her secrets are revealed and she is

embarrassed.

There are many important characters in this

story. They also have storylines running.

It is a sweet story of love and forgiveness.

Also life lessons like don't waste time. Don't blink.

Tell people that you love them when you have the

chance. Be thankful for the good days.

Therese Plummer is the narrator. She is very

popular for a good reason. Because she is

terrific. Easy to listen to.

I do recommend this one and the rest

of the series as well. Robyn Carr has

written a terrific series.

I bought my audible copy of Wildest Dreams

from Amazon.

Review by Lisa Hutson