Friday, January 6, 2017

The Cowboy’s Runaway Bride by Nancy Robards Thompson





Excerpt:

With one last forward thrust, Chelsea tumbled inside. As she twisted to break her fall, the bathroom light flicked on. Chelsea screamed as she registered the huge man hulking in the threshold. 

Based on the racket he’d heard Ethan Campbell thought he might have cornered a couple of raccoons that had fallen down the chimney or gotten into Juliette Lowell’s house through an open window. The last thing he expected was to catch a tall, gorgeous blond breaking and entering.



Review:

The Cowboy’s Runaway Bride by Nancy Robards Thompson is a fast-paced, opposites attract romance set in the small town of Celebration, Texas. I love the Celebration series—the small town atmosphere, sense of community and unique characters appeal to me.

Lady Chelsea Ashford Alden has been betrayed by her boyfriend. He sold a very private tape of the couple and the ensuing scandal has forced her to leave Great Britain. Chelsea decides to visit her friend Juliette Lowell in Celebration, Texas until the scandal dies down. Ethan Campbell has put romance on the back burner and has focused on his ranch and horse breeding program since the death of his parents and his divorce. I emphasized with Chelsea’s predicament, felt compassion for Ethan’s decisions and enjoyed the instant attraction between the couple!

Ms. Thompson does a fabulous job with the dialogue in this novel. She is spot on with the British slang and verbiage that Chelsea uses in conversation. The conversations between Chelsea and Ethan are honest and at times very poignant. Loved how the author weaved the contemporary trends of the media’s obsession with royalty, cellphones, Facebook photo postings and the barn theme wedding trends into the storyline. These details added authenticity to the story. 

The conclusion to Ethan and Chelsea’s story is well paced and moving. I loved that when Chelsea’s big secret is revealed, the author stays true to her characters. That important choice made for a fabulous romantic read.



Reviewed by: Susan Gorman
ARC, Graphic images and video provide by the Author 
Photo of Celeste taken by Susan Gorman

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

The Christmas Basket by Debbie Macomber

The Christmas Basket
by Debbie Macomber
 

Debbie Macomber is so successful and well known
which makes it easy to commit to reading one of her
books for the Christmas season. Her books always
have a bit of fun. Along with something to make you
think. Plus family. At least all of her books I have read.
 
This one is the story of two best friends. Then,
an event. Then, a mistake. Then, pride. Much pride.
They wind up enemies for years. Forcing their children
to carry out the hard feelings. Pushing their husbands
to choose sides.
 

In the end, the husbands never listened to them.
Their children don't listen to them. Its all such
a shock, isnt it?
Love wins out. Love of friends. Love of the holiday
season. Love of children. The love that comes
from generosity and kindness.
 
I hope you find the time to read
The Christmas Basket. Keep it in mind
when the season comes around. Or when
you are sweltering in the summer. The story
will make you grab for a sweater.
 
 
 
I bought my copy from Amazon.
Review by Lisa Hutson


Sunday, December 25, 2016

The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

The Trouble with Mistletoe
by Jill Shalvis
 
 
"I certainly didn't plan for an escape clause when I fell
in love with you."
She stilled and stared up at him.
"Wait. What?"
Jesus, had he really just said that?
Just opened a vein here when she had
one foot out
the door.
"Keane?"
Yep, he'd said it. Later, he'd think it was like getting
a brain freeze after gulping down a slurpee too fast.
There was nothing but the burn for a long beat as
his mind went into a free fall.
He loved her.
 
 
Keane Winters found himself in charge of a cat.
Petunia. A cat that he could not handle. He heard of
Southpark. A pet shop that he hoped would pet sit
for him. He knocked on the door before the store
even opened. Holding a pink bedazzled pet carrier.
 
Willa Davis recognized Keane Winters immediately.
And he did not recognize her. At all.
If he weren't holding an animal that she was
guessing needed something, she would have turned
and walked away. But Willa couldn't do that to
whatever was inside the carrier.
 
This was the moment. The moment when lives change.
 
 
Jill Shalvis is a wonderful writer. Her stories always
hit you right there. Right where it counts.
And this new story from the Heartbreaker Bay
series does just that. It will hit you right in the
heart and the funny bone.
 
 
I bought my copy from Audible.com
Review by Lisa Hutson