Slightly Tempted by Mary Balogh

Slightly Tempted

by Mary Balogh

☆☆☆☆☆

 

Slightly Tempted is Book Four of

The Bedwyn Saga series.

 

This is Morgans story. Morgan is the youngest of the

Bedwyn siblings. The prettiest. The only one without the

Bedwyn nose. She is no less determined, smart and strong

than any of the other siblings. She is just 18 years old and

therefore coming into her own. Morgan finds herself near

the war at the beginning. Through a series of circumstances,

she is helping care for the wounded. Her brother, Alleyne, is

involved with the events as well. When Morgan has the

opportunity to leave, she chooses not to. The wounded need

her and Alleyne has gone missing.

 

 

Morgan met Earl of Rosthorn, Gervase Ashford. They have

developed a bond and friendship over the time. He has been

looking for information about Alleyne. And trying to comfort

Morgan.

 

What she doesn't know is that there is a long standing battle

between Gervase and the Duke of Bewcastle, Wulfric.

Morgans big brother. When Gervase has found out who Morgan

is, he decides to exact revenge against Bewcastle through Morgan.

 

As time goes on and they get to know each other, they fall

in love. But Gervase has his secret. The reason he met Morgan

to begin with. He is realizing the strength of his love for her is

growing deeper. Must he tell her his secret? Will she be

able to forgive him? And what about Bewcastle? Will they ever

be able to call a truce?

 

Slightly Tempted is another wonderful story in the Bedwyn Saga.

Much of the emotion comes from the time of war. Mary Balogh

has written a story full of detail to make you feel what is

happening.  It's easy to imagine the chaos brought

from the crisis all around. Even the upper classes find all the

money in the world cannot make it easy for them.

 

The romance between Morgan and Gervase is fraught with upset

and uncertainty. Can they make it through? Will their relationship

be strong enough to survive war and the Bedwyn family? 

 

If you are one of those people that sneak and read the end of the

book first, I recommend that you abstain from doing that this

time!! It has a marvelous ending to top off the terrific story.

And to keep the series rolling on....

 

 

 

I have long had my own copy of Slightly Tempted.

Review by Lisa Hutson

Wind Chime Summer by Sophie Moss

Wind Chime Summer

by Sophie Moss

☆☆☆☆☆

Wind Chime Summer is

Book Three of

The Wind Chimes Novels

 

I spent a few years volunteering at my local USO.

It was an amazing time. I felt like I was making a

true contribution to the great men, women and

the families of those that protect this country. I also

had the opportunity to talk to many service members,

veterans and their families. I learned a lot. There was

one subject that came up so much. PTSD.

We all know that it isn't an issue exclusive to service

members. But that is what this story is centered on.
Without question, Sophie Moss wrote a wonderful

love story including a group of characters that

are very brave, strong men and women.

Wind Chime Summer is a romantic story. But it isn't

a romance that comes easily. Both Ryan and Izzy have

to fight hard to get to the place where they can have a

true relationship with romance. Ryan is coming to terms

with his own issues. Family history mostly.

 

Then its Izzy Rivera. She has been falling deeper and

deeper into the haze, terror and anger of PTSD.
Stemming from her service time in the Army.
As with most people, she thinks she can handle it.

If she can only find a way to deal a particular person.

Of course, there is so much more to it than this one guy

or one incident. In the end, Izzy does get the help she

needed. On many fronts. And from many people.

 

Ryan and Izzy are perfect for each other, of course.

Ryan is infinitely patient. Izzy is determined.

They find their way to each other. Ryan also finds a

way to connect with his father.

And Izzy finds her way back to the kitchen.

 

Ahh, the love. The wonderful deep emotion that is

the biggest part of this wind chime summer.

The soft sounds and beauty of the wind chimes

is romantic and magical. Its proven in every story.

 

 

I want to add something. Here is a link.

If you or someone you know needs help.

I hope this will lead you to the people

you need. Maybe its just a starting point.

But I truly hope you will find the help

from somewhere.

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/where-to-get-help.asp

 

I have enjoyed every book in this series.

I bought the first book. The second two were

arcs given to me in exchange for an

honest review.

This review by Lisa Hutson

 



Susan's Review of The Cowboy Who Got Away by Nancy Robards Thompson -Celebration, TX series

Hunky bull rider Jude Campbell seems to have the world by the proverbial horns. But when the world champion returns to Celebration for his high school reunion, he's confronted by the ghosts he'd worked so hard to forget. Not to mention the high school love who got away... Bridezilla wrangler Juliette Lowell is as gorgeous and genuine as she was as Jude's homecoming queen. And the spark between them burns as bright as ever. But Jules still smarts from Jude's betrayal years before. And as successful as he seems, Jude's struggling with the prospect of hanging up his spurs. But with his queen, Juliette, by his side, maybe this homecoming will take once and for all

Every inch of him needed her. Even if he hadn't been conscious of it before, he wanted to hold her like this, feel her just like this, from the moment he saw her standing there talking to herself in the middle of Lucy's barn. The desire had grown as they'd sat in the Redbird and reminisced and laughed like old friends and now it was so great it had rendered him half out of his mind.

Even so, he hadn't planned on seducing her--or has she seduced him? That was the thing about them. They tended to spontaneously combust when they were around each other. Sometimes it was difficult to discern where one of them stopped and the other began.

How had they gone so long without each other?

High school reunions bring up lots of memories and the 10-year reunion is often considered a milestone; as people are conscious of their marital, career and financial status. The Cowboy Who Got Away explores these themes as Juliette Lowell and Jude Campbell are given a second chance at love when Jude arrives in Celebration just in time for their 10th reunion.

Juliette has appeared in several of Nancy Robards Thompson’s Celebration books and I was thrilled to read her story. As a popular wedding consultant, she creates magical weddings for her clients. However, Juliette has dealt with one too many demanding bridezilla and is growing tired of travelling that her job entails. Jude Campbell overhears Juliette talking to herself in her office at the Campbell Wedding Barn after a client (bridezilla!!) meeting and asks about the situation. Juliette is surprised to see her high school boyfriend after ten years. Jude has left the bull riding circuit because he has suffered a concussion; he’s spending time at home and looking to rekindle his relationship with Juliette.

Nancy Robards Thompson perfectly balances the present attraction between Jude and Juliette with the couple’s need to sort through their past break up. As a reader, I could relate to Juliette. Her relationship with Jude meant everything to her and it took her a long time to get over him. Can she trust him? The author is spot on with the emotional poignant conversations between the couple. Jude opens up to Juliette about his relationship with his father, self-doubts and current career situation. Will he choose love or his career?

Several contemporary themes are woven in this tender, sexy story. Jude was very open about the concussions that he suffered while pursuing the bull riding championship. The concussion protocol is something all athletes should adhere to. Ms. Thompson did a fantastic job bringing this element into the storyline. Loved that Jude and Juliette danced to Blake Shelton’s Mine Would Be You at the reunion. The dance scene was superbly written and each one of the author’s words described the love that Jude and Juliette shared as well as the heartache they felt. Jude over hears that Juliette has been offered a job based in London; this leads to a huge misunderstanding between them. Can Jude and Juliette work through this situation?

I loved the conclusion of the novel—it’s full of love, understanding and a teensy piece of irony which I loved! And it works perfectly for this couple!

Reviewed By Susan Gorman

Book provided by the author.

National bestselling author Nancy Robards Thompson lives and writes in Florida, but her imagination transports her all over the world. She’s worked a myriad of jobs including television show stand-in; production and extras casting for movies; and several mind-numbing jobs in the fashion industry and public relations. She earned a degree in journalism only to realize reporting “just the facts” bored her silly. Much more content to report to her muse, Nancy has found Nirvana doing what she loves most – writing contemporary and historical romance and women’s fiction full-time. After hanging up her press pass, this two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart struck gold in July 2002 when she won the award. Since then, she’s gone on to sell more than 30 books, which critics have deemed, “…funny, smart and observant.”