Susan's Review of Christmas at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer

The best gift of all is the one you share with someone else. . .

From the moment he strode through the iron gate and into the offices of Two Love Lane on a crisp December day, it was obvious that Deacon Banks was something different. He wasn’t a Charleston native, not with that adorable Yankee accent. And unlike the usual client at the elegant matchmaking agency, he had no interest in finding a woman to marry—just a few no-strings dates while he was in town.

Macy Frost takes her professional services very seriously—how could she not, when she’s rumored to be a direct descendant of Cupid? Tech entrepreneur Deacon says he’s just trying to make his social-climbing aunt happy by being seen out and about with a few prominent beauties, but Macy insists she can make her client fall in love…for real. And Deacon can’t help but think she might be right. As charming as the palmetto trees and magnificent harbor may be, it’s the beautiful, breath-of-fresh-air Macy who’s become Deacon’s favorite part of the scenery. But can the hopelessly romantic Southern belle stop trying to fix him up and just let Cupid do his work on her own heart?

Kieran Kramer is one of my go to authors. I adore her books because she excels at creating slice-of-life novels. Ms Kramer creates characters that resonate with the reader and she crafts emotional, heartfelt storylines which draw the reader into the story. In Christmas at Two Love Lane, Ms. Kramer pairs Deacon Banks, a savvy New York City businessman with Macy Frost, a charming Charleston, South Carolina socialite and matchmaker.

I adored the premise of this holiday themed romance. Deacon is spending the month of December in Charleston visiting with his newly retired aunt. Fran Banks is a famous talk show host who has relocated to Charleston with her houseman George and four corgis. Deacon knows his aunt is a force to be reckoned with but, wants to please her because Fran raised him after his parents died. Fran’s fondest desire? She’d love Deacon to marry, preferably a southern girl, so she can be part of the Charleston society. Deacon’s gift to Fran for Christmas? A series of dates arranged by Macy’s matchmaking business.

Deacon Banks epitomizes my image of a New York business man; he’s determined, resourceful and goes after what he wants. He doesn’t believe in love and doesn’t understand Macy’s calling as a matchmaker. I enjoyed the back and forth banter between Macy and Deacon; their conversations were heartfelt, funny and honest and their chemistry sizzled from the first page of the book. The romance between the couple is well paced. Deacon was attracted to Macy and with each one of his dates it was apparent that he was falling for her. The author does a fabulous job integrating the cast of secondary characters into the story. Loved George’s relationships with Fran and Deacon; their conversations were spot on and added spice to the novel. Deacon makes a strategic error in his pursuit of Macy. Can she forgive him when she uncovers the truth?

Christmas at Two Love Lane is a delightful read! The charming, larger than life characters, the witty dialogue, the southern setting add to this sweet perfectly paced romance. I can’t wait for the next story in the series.

Thank you Kieran from the Rose-Haven corgis for the shout out! You captured the corgi spirit and fondness for snacks perfectly!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by St Martin's Press

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When do the holidays official start for you?
Thanksgiving Day, as soon as I turn on the TV to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade! Can’t miss the Rockettes segment, ever!

What’s your favorite thing about the holidays?
Inhaling the delicious scent of the Christmas tree, seeing the twinkling lights, hanging out with the family and our friends.
Are there any holiday traditions you do every year without fail?
I always make frosted sugar cookies, and I always try to watch as many Christmas movies as I can. I also try to go to the Holiday Boat Parade in Charleston harbor!

What’s your favorite holiday movie?
It’s a Wonderful Life; I never get tired of it!

Do you have a favorite holiday book?
Definitely How the Grinch Stole Christmas….

What’s your all-time favorite holiday song?
Away in the Manger sung by Julie Andrews–the UK version of the melody

What’s your favorite activity during fall or winter?
baking bread, using my crockpot, reading cozy books, buying myself winter clothes, going to parties, eating holiday cookies

What’s your favorite gift you’ve ever received or given?
My favorite gift is having my family all together in one place. Nothing matters more. Sometimes we can’t all be together, so I cherish the Christmases that we can celebrate under one roof.

Do you have any items on your wish list this year?
Yes, having my own little family together again–the last two years some of us have been overseas. But if I have to mention something from the store, I’d love to have some canvases and paint and painting lessons!

Any resolutions or goals for next year?
Yes, to slow down and get centered, to really look around each day and marvel at this beautiful world filled with people who all want to love and be loved. I refuse to let the haters in. Oh, and I have to keep dancing to my Alexa, haha!!

Author Bio:

Kieran Kramer, author of the Impossible Bachelors series, was born in Washington, D.C. to an Air Force pilot father and actress/singer mother. She grew up mainly on Johns Island, a rural sea island near Charleston, South Carolina, where she helped build her family’s log home. Having worked for the CIA and as journalist for The Charlotte Observer, Kieran is now a stay-at-home mom. She once won $34,000 on Wheel of Fortune, and also won on Family Feud. She’s been married to her naval officer husband, Chuck, for twenty-one years, and they have three children.

Buy Link: http://smpromance.com/contemporary/christmas-at-two-love-lane/

Watch Christmas at Two Love Lane video here; https://animoto.com/play/HexKofxdqY0QFECWuXSe8A

Third Sons a Charm by Shana Galen

Third Sons a Charm

by Shana Galen
☆☆☆☆☆

The beginning of a new series for Shana Galen!

The cover starts everything off beautifully.

Not a fluffy romance but a very romantic story all the same.

Leave it to Shana Galen to write a character like

Lady Lorraine. Lorrie knows no bounds. Mischievous and

determined. A teacher down in her soul.

The moment Lorrie meets Ewan Mastyn, she thinks of him

as the Viking. The people that know him best call him

the Protector. He is hired as bodyguard for

Lady Lorraine. She will try his patience and use every

trick in the book to get her way. 

It's a test of wills. Lady Lorraine, her parents

and Ewan all have their own agendas and ideas about

the right thing. Who will win?

Third Sons a Charm is not a soft sort of romantic story.
There is action, mystery and adventure.
The characters are full of personality.
They are not shallow or predictable at all.
In fact the story is full of twists and surprises
at every turn. The tale will not turn you loose.
It's a story full of emotional fireworks.
Not your typical romance. But it will
send your heart to pitter-patter all the same.
It makes me excited to read the next one
in this series.


I got a copy of this story from the author
in exchange for an honest review
Review by Lisa Hutson





Susan's Review of Secret's at Seaside by Addison Cole

Dive into the Newest Sweet with Heat Romance!

SECRETS AT SEASIDE

Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers #5

Addison Cole

Releasing Oct 25, 2017

Tony Black is the hottest surfer on the planet. He travels the world throughout the year and spends his summers on Cape Cod with his friends, at the Seaside cottages in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. He’s got his choice of women, but Amy Maples is the one he wants. Fourteen years ago she was his for an entire summer, until a devastating accident changed everything, and what they had seemed like it had never existed—at least for her.

Amy Maples is as consistent as the day is long. She’s spent summers on Cape Cod forever, she always does the right thing, and she’s spent years trying to reclaim the heart of Tony Black, the only man she’s ever loved. She’s back for a summer of fun with her friends at Seaside, only this year she’s been offered the opportunity of a lifetime thousands of miles away, and she’s decided to try one last time to reconnect with Tony. But having a relationship with Tony means dealing with her past—and dealing with her past may knock her to her knees.

Secrets at Seaside is the sweet edition of the steamy romance novel Seaside Secrets by Melissa Foster.

Start the series for FREE with 

Read, Write, Love at Seaside

Addison Cole is the sweet alter ego of New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Melissa Foster. She writes humorous and emotional sweet contemporary romance. Her books do not include explicit sex scenes or harsh language. Addison spends her summers on Cape Cod, where she dreams up wonderful love stories in her house overlooking Cape Cod Bay.    

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Addison Cole’s Secrets at Seaside is a heartfelt romance filled with secrets and surprises. The second chance theme sets this story apart from the other books in the series and creates a sense of drama from the first page of the novel.

Amy Maples and Tony Black had a sexual relationship when they were teenagers. Their romance was private, special and a secret from their Seaside friends and their families. Their relationship ended abruptly. Neither Amy nor Tony recovered emotionally from the break up. They care deeply for each other however, now their relationship is strictly platonic.

Amy has sat on the sidelines for the past few summers as she has watched her friends: Leanna, Bella, Jenna and Jamie find happiness and love. The Seaside friends attend Jamie and Jessica’s wedding. The wedding is a turning point for Amy; she realizes that she needs to take steps to change her career and love life. Amy accepts a job in Australia. This choice impacts Amy, the Seaside sisters and Tony. Amy realizes that she needs to come to terms with her feelings for Tony before she leaves.

The author does a fabulous job presenting both characters feelings, emotions and reactions by using the third person narrative in the novel. Ms. Foster’s decision enabled me to understand both characters perspectives. Also, this narrative technique added to the depth and intensity of emotions. Amy and Tony had unresolved feelings about their past that needed to be explored and dealt with honestly.

There were several stand out scenes in the book. I loved the scene when Amy comes clean with her relationship with Tony to Leanna, Bella and Jenna. Ms. Foster captures each characters reaction to the news perfectly, the reader can imagine Leanna’s looks of concern and acceptance and hear Bella’s blunt questioning of Amy’s story. I loved the traditional and magical elements that were woven into the last few chapters of the novel.

All of the books in the Seaside Summers series can be read as standalone novels. The second chance at romance, the secrets and the deep personal connection between the characters in Secrets at Seaside appealed to me. Secrets at Seaside is a sweet with heat book—however, Amy and Tony’s journey is very romantic and passionate!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC porvided by Tasty Tours

Amy wanted to believe them and to see what they apparently saw when he looked at her, but she never had. It was the secret memories of being in Tony’s strong arms that long-ago summer, feeling his heart beat against hers, feeling safe and loved, that made her hopeful there would come a day when they’d find themselves there again. But then her mind would travel to the end of those recent nights when she’d had too much to drink and he’d carried her home. When he’d tucked her into bed and gone along his merry way back to his own cottage across the road, quickly dousing her hope for more with cold reality. Whatever they’d had that summer, she’d ruined.

“Exactly, Leanna. That’s why she’s not making a decision about Australia until after this weekend,” Jenna said. “Right, Ames?”

“Yes. That’s my plan. I’m going to talk to Tony, and if he looks me in the eye and says he has no interest in anything more than friendship, then I’m going to take the job. It’s pretty stupid, really, because how many times has he had the opportunity to…you know?” She dropped her eyes to her glass and ran her finger along the rim. Amy was as sweet as Bella was brash, and even thinking about trying to seduce Tony and finding out where his heart really stood had her stomach tied in knots. When her friends had come up with the idea of seducing Tony, she’d fought it, but they’d insisted that once he kissed her, he’d never look back, and she’d grabbed that shred of hope as if it were a brass ring. Now her fingers were slipping a little.

“Talk? That’s not the plan,” Jenna said.

Jessica shook her head. “So, seduction? You’re going to try?”

“If I can muster the courage.” Amy drew in a deep breath, hoping she wouldn’t back out. As much as she wanted closure, the idea of actually hearing Tony tell her that he didn’t see her as anything other than a friend made her almost chicken out. But she didn’t want to chicken out. She had a great job opportunity, and at thirty-two, she was ready to settle down and maybe even start a family. But that thought was even more painful than Tony turning her away.

Tony set a disconcerting stare on Amy as he moved confidently across the floor with the other guys, heading for their table. Her pulse ratcheted up a notch as his eyes went dark and narrow. She broke the connection, grazing over his low-slung jeans and short-sleeve button-down shirt, afraid to try to decipher if it was an angry or an interested look in his eyes. She’d probably see only what she really wanted to see anyway.

Big mistake. Now she was even more nervous.

women in the bar turned and watched the four gorgeous men crossing the floor, but Amy knew they had to be looking at Tony. She was held prisoner by his sun-drenched skin, sandy hair that brushed his devilishly long lashes, and squared-off features that amped up his ruggedness and made her pulse go a little crazy. She reached for a glass of liquid courage, having no idea whose it was, and drained it as Tony slid in beside her. His thigh met hers, and his irresistible scent made her hot all over again. She grabbed another glass and drained it, and another, until the glasses were all empty and the nervous stirrings in her stomach stilled.

“Since when did you become Beyoncé?” Tony grumbled.

Beyoncé? Was that good or bad? Amy couldn’t form an answer. All she could think about was that no matter what the outcome, after tonight her life would never be the same.