Thursday, October 5, 2017

Susan's Review of Thrill of Love by Melissa Foster


Fate brings Ty and Aiyla together, but will tragedy tear them apart?


THRILL OF LOVE
The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor, MD #6
Melissa Foster
Releasing Oct 4, 2017
World Literary Press


Do you believe in fate?

World-renowned mountain climber and nature photographer Ty Braden never believed in second dates, much less heart-pounding, steal-his-breath love. But that was before a trip to Saint-Luc, where he met funny, strong, and entrancingly beautiful Aiyla Bell, a ski instructor and fellow photographer whose hopes and dreams, and love of the outdoors, aligned perfectly with his—and whose kisses alone turned him inside out.

After spending five magical days and four sweet, soulful nights falling in love, Aiyla couldn’t imagine a day without Ty. But when he asked her to go with him on his next assignment, his reputation for having women at his beck and call stopped her from upending the life she’d worked so hard to create.

Months later fate steps in when a chance encounter brings Ty and Aiyla together for a five-day wilderness event held in the Colorado Mountains. Their deep, passionate connection is stronger than ever, and Ty is bound and determined not to lose her again. But when tragedy strikes and their worlds are turned upside down, their love faces the truest test of all.






Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.






Melissa Foster writes emotional, sexy contemporary novels with all the feels. In my opinion, Thrill of Love stands apart from the rest of the Braden series because the couple’s love is tested throughout the novel.

Ty Braden and Aiyla Bell met each other in Switzerland and spent a week together. They share a passion for competitive sports, photography, the outdoors and family. The couple decides not to exchange phone numbers or emails; leaving their relationship to fate. Aiyla and Ty reunite in Colorado at a five -day wilderness event for charity. One of my favorite scenes occurs when Ty notices that Aiyla hasn’t crossed the finish line on the second day of the competition. Thinking that she is injured, dehydrated or lost, Ty races back to find Aiyla. This scene showed the depth of Ty’s feelings for Aiyla and gave the reader a glimpse for Aiyla’s inner strength and determination.

Ty and Aiyla’s romance is sweet and sensuous and their love for each other is solid. Ty invites Aiyla to his sister’s wedding in Maryland. Aiyla is welcomed into the Braden family with open arms. Aiyla schedules an appointment to have her leg examined before the wedding. The couple faces an unexpected medical crisis. The author does a wonderful job balancing the couple’s fears, journey to acceptance and treatment options. Ms. Foster’s descriptive voice shines during these chapters and the dialogue between the characters is honest, loving and poignant. The warmth, caring and understanding of the Braden family play an important part in this piece of the novel.

Melissa Foster has written a fabulous story for Ty Braden. Thrill of Love is a not a typical romance novel, it’s so much more. I enjoyed reading how love challenged Ty and made him a better man. Love came first, not an adventure, game or photo assignment. He believes in fate, destiny and, most of all, love.

Ty to Aiyla: ‘I do know. I had no idea what love meant before you. But now I know it means that someone else is always there. You are in my every thought, in everything I do, everything I hope for. Our stars have collided babe and the universe awaits our exploration”


Trill of Love is a fabulous read. Aiyla and Ty’s story will captivate you and their journey will make you cry tears of sympathy, happiness and joy.
Reviewed by Susan Gorman
ARC provided by Tasty Tours



He leaned in close, and she held her breath, readying for a kiss she wasn’t sure she should accept—but she wanted nonetheless. She closed her eyes and his lips touched her cheek.

“Good luck out there, baby cakes,” he said just above a whisper, and walked away.

The air rushed from her lungs. Baby cakes. That’s what he’d called her last time they were together, though she’d never known why. Did he call everyone baby cakes? And if so, did those other women feel as special as she did when he said it?

She watched him walk away and noticed several other girls also enjoying the view of his fine ass in those tight cycling shorts. Life would be a whole lot easier if she were more like her much-older sister, Cherise, who had raised her from the time Aiyla was fifteen, when they’d lost their mother. Cherise lived a careful, meticulously orchestrated life, void of any risks, including those that pertained to her heart. She’d married a safe, reliable accountant with no sense of adventure. They had a comfortable home with a white picket fence and two adorable little boys. Just the idea of living such a mundane life made Aiyla’s stomach turn. Hadn’t their mother’s death taught her sister that fate played its hand no matter how many walls one erected? Living a safe, boring life in fear of it all being taken away wasn’t living at all.

Aiyla had accepted long ago that she’d never be a white-picket-fence type of girl. She loved adventures, thrived on capturing in photographs that would live on forever the faces of people who had lived full, even if torturous, lives. And she felt rejuvenated when surrounded by untamed wilderness. As she forced her gaze away from Ty, her fingers absently brushing over the cheek he’d kissed, she had to admit, she also enjoyed the sheer energy of a man marking his territory.

Now, if only she could focus on the race instead of the man who’d set her heart on fire.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber - Audible Version

Any Dream Will Do
by Debbie Macomber
Audible Version
☆☆☆☆☆
Any Dream Will Do is a wonderful story of love and
second chances. Third chances and having faith.

There are many sayings about every choice. Every
decision. Every twist and turn alters the course of
your life. This is a great story enforcing that.

Shay has learned all the lessons the hard way.
Then the time comes. Shay has learned the lessons.
She is living her life with integrity, energy, honesty
and loyalty. You might think that will cut through
all the unhappiness and create smooth sailing.

Oh no. There are always more lessons.
Any Dream Will Do is full of hope. You can feel
deep in your heart that Shay is trying.....


Debbie Macomber has a way of writing such deep
and real characters. The situations. The surroundings.
You can feel them all as you read Any Dream Will Do.
I hope you enjoy it.

I know you will enjoy the narration. Two readers for
this story. Mark Deakins and Laurel Rankin. I always
feel like having two readers in a story like this adds
so much! They both did a great job.


I bought my audible copy from Audible.com
Review by Lisa Hutson


 

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Susan's Review of Stolen Kisses by Annie Rains



Krista Nelson loves being a pediatric nurse. What she doesn’t love is her demanding boss and stressful workload. Fortunately, Krista knows she can count on a waterfront happy hour every Wednesday with her childhood best friend, Noah Sawyer, the one part of her life she never wants to change. But, like it or not, things are changing—because Krista can’t stop wondering what would happen if she grabbed Noah by the collar and kissed him like it was her job.

Bored of the superficial women he’s been dating, Noah’s putting his love life on hold so he can focus on his family’s high-end fishing business. Sure, there are moments when he’s tempted by Krista’s soft lips and killer smile—but her friendship is too important to Noah. How could he let himself jeopardize everything they share? The trouble is, if he doesn’t take the real risk of opening his heart, Noah might just let the perfect catch get away.  c


If it was any other woman drooling on the passenger window of his Jeep, Noah would swear to never take her out again.

He smiled softly as he sat in his parked vehicle outside Krista’s townhouse. Her face was pressed against the glass and she was fast asleep. Not exactly drooling, but when he recapped the evening to her tomorrow, he’d add that little detail in and enjoy watching her flush.

“Krista?” he said, nudging her shoulder.

She didn’t stir. She’d always been a lightweight. Good thing she was also light in weight because he was going to have to carry her inside. He reached over to her purse and fished out her keys, saying her name one last time to make sure she wasn’t going to wake. Nope, she was definitely lights-out. He moved around to the passenger side, slid his arms under her, and hoisted her up, cradling her head against his left shoulder. She smelled like lavender and he breathed her in for a moment. His fingers tightened around her as he carried her to her front door, unlocked it, and walked inside. Her bedroom was the last one on the right. He didn’t turn the lights on as he entered, instead finding his way by the moonlight streaming in from her window. He was careful to lay her down comfortably, with her head on the pillow. A few strands of her dark hair swept across her cheek. He pushed them back and stared at her for a long moment. “Krista?” he whispered again.

She stirred this time. Made a little moan.

“I took you home,” he told her. “Your brother should be here in an hour or two.” Suddenly he wondered if he should leave her alone. She’d had four beers, which was a lot for someone who got tipsy after one. It wasn’t like her. On top of that, he knew she was tired and emotionally drained. Work had been hard on her lately. “Do you need me to stay?” he asked quietly.

Her smile came before her eyes fluttered open to focus on him.

“Hey.” He sat on the edge of her bed and looked down at her and those sleepy bedroom eyes she blinked lazily at him. “You okay?”

“Um-hmmm.” Her eyes closed again, but her soft smile remained.

“You want some water? I can put a glass by your bed. Don’t want you to wake with a headache in the morning.”

“My protector. You take such good care of me.”

He ran a hand over her forearm. “I always will,” he promised, remembering how he’d sat by her hospital bed after her transplant. He’d silently promised that he’d never let anyone hurt her. Over the years, that promise had come to include himself.

Her eyes fluttered open again. “I love that little dimple in your cheek,” she whispered.

Noah stilled. Everything inside him tightened to the point that his heart squeezed and kicked. He searched his mind for something clever to say, to take the edge off the moment. Before he could say anything, though, Krista sat up and pressed her mouth to his. His hands immediately tightened around her, holding her there. Then, without thinking—maybe his mind just wasn’t working tonight—he parted his lips and took the kiss to the next level. He swept his tongue past her lips. Tasted her sweetness, and, good God, she tasted fantastic. Her hot mouth on his was divine. Blood surged to his lower half, and he pressed his body against hers. One hand traveled down her waist, cupping her bottom.

It all lasted barely a couple seconds. Like a spark that ignited into a flashfire.

“Mmmm. Noah,” she moaned, falling back against her pillow.

“Krista?” he said, breathing heavily. What the hell just happened?

But she was asleep. Her eyes were closed and her head had turned to the side. There was a soft smile playing at her slightly parted lips. Kissable lips.

Withdrawing his hands from her body, he stood and took a step backward, nearly stumbling over her shoes. They’d fallen off as he’d taken her to bed. Which didn’t sound right at all. He’d like to say nothing happened, but shit, he’d kissed her. Why had he kissed her?

At the front of the house, he heard the door open and slam shut. Joey was home. Thank you, God, Noah thought, because he needed to get out of Krista’s bedroom, her home, and as far away from her as he possibly could right now.

Joey stopped and arched a brow at the sight of Noah sprinting out of Krista’s darkened room. Noah lifted his hands. “She drank too much. I put her in her bed. See for yourself. She’s slobbering on her pillow and still wearing the jeans and shirt she had on at Castaways.” He failed to mention, however, that he’d had his tongue in her mouth and his hand on her ass two seconds earlier.

Joey snickered. “I stopped caring who my sister brought to bed a long time ago, man. And I’d never worry about you two anyway.”

Both of those statements had Noah stopping in his tracks. “What do you mean the guys Krista brings to bed?” Because he hadn’t heard of any in a long time.

“Well, not lately. She’s too wrapped up in work. We’ll probably end up living together ’til we’re old or we kill each other. One of the two.” Joey headed toward the fridge and pulled out a carton of leftover Chinese food.

“Well, what do you mean that you would never worry about me and Krista?” Noah asked. Because he was worried at the moment. He was two seconds away from needing a paper bag to breathe into.

Joey looked up over a forkful of dangling lo mein. “She’s been telling me for years. You’re just friends and she’s not even attracted to you, bro.” He chomped down on the noodles.

“She’s not?”

Joey laughed as he chewed and swallowed. “Sorry to bruise your ego.”




Annie Rains has created a warm, small town community in her Blushing Bay series. I love the relatable characters, the gorgeous waterfront setting and the small town feel in each of the novels. Stolen Kisses is well -paced friends to lovers romance which features Krista Nelson and Noah Sawyer.

Loved the characters in this novel! Krista Nelson is at a crossroads- both personally and professionally. Although she enjoys her job as a pediatric nurse, there may be an opportunity for advancement for her at the hospital. Will Krista decide to remain as a floor nurse or choose to pursue the head nurse position? Krista wants it all; her nursing career, a husband, home and children. She’s settled into a comfortable routine; she meets her friend Grace for coffee before work, her friend Noah for drinks on Wednesday and her girlfriends for dinner on Thursdays. Krista’s routine is shaken up when Noah brings a date to their weekly ‘Wednesday Wings’ night. Noah ignores Krista and focusses on his date. This event is a wakeup call for Krista. She loves Noah but realizes that he considers her as ‘one of the guys” and accepts a date with a doctor.

Noah Sawyer is one of my favorite characters in the series. He’s a good brother, great friend and loves his job as captain of the family fishing boat. Noah isn’t one for commitments; he dates lots of woman and lives in a tiny, run down houseboat. I loved that he valued his friendship with Krista and acknowledged his feelings for her were changing. I loved the symbolism in the fish hook charm that he gave Krista and heart shape fin on Misty, the elusive tuna.

Noah and Krista volunteer to prepare the Sawyer family cabin for Grace and Jack Sawyer’s honeymoon. Loved that the trip started off with a stop at a store called Sugar and Spicy to buy a few gifts for the honeymooners. The scene which describe Krista’s embarrassment and annoyance at Noah as he implied to the clerk that the items for their pleasure was well crafted and so funny. Krista’s reaction to Noah’s teasing her was spot on! The author does a fabulous job with the scenes which describe the buildup to the couple’s first kiss; as both Krista and Noah give into their desire. Ms. Rains doesn’t make it easy for this couple though—the scene with Krista and the spider is hilarious! Loved how Krista and Noah transitioned from friends to lovers—it was perfectly paced—and contained several sweet scenes.

The couple’s relationship suffers a setback when Krista overhears part of a conversation between Noah and his older brother Sam at Grace and Jack’s wedding reception. Sam brings up something from Noah’s past that he has not shared with Krista which leaves her shell shocked. The last few chapters of the book were wonderfully written with several standout emotional scenes and honest, poignant conversations. Stolen Kisses has all the feels—a heartwarming, poignant friends to lovers story, witty banter between the characters (especially between the Sawyer brothers!), a beautiful setting and an superb epilogue which was perfect for this couple!

Annie Rains -I am patiently waiting for the next book!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
ARC provided by the publisher




Annie Rains is a USA Today bestselling author who writes small-town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and three children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.