Susan's Review of Maddie Fortune's Perfect Man by Nancy Robarts Thompson

THERE'S TROUBLE AFOOT AMONG THE HOUSTON FORTUNES..
Maddie Fortunado, heir apparent to her father's real estate business, is stunned to learn that she'll have to fight for the job she'd assumed was hers! Even worse? Her rival is none other than Zach McCarter, her secret crush. Only a makeover can transform "Maddie" into "Madeleine," who can compete against her charismatic coworker. But when Zach meets Maddie 2.0, business is suddenly the last thing on either of their minds

Nancy Robards Thompson has added an unique twist to the secret crush romance in her new novel Maddie Fortune’s Perfect Man. I loved the relatable characters, the rivalry between the two main characters and the strong family bonds in this story.

Maddie Fortune has spent her days, evenings and weekends working at her family’s business, Fortunato Real Estate. She is shocked when her father makes her compete for the position she assumed was hers all along. Maddie’s competitor for the head of Fortunato Real Estate is Zach McCarter—her long term crush.

I loved that Maddie took the challenge seriously but, took a step back and realized that by devoting her herself to work she was missing out on life. Ms. Thompson’s smart dialogue between Maddie and her sister Schuyler drew me into the story. In typical sister fashion, Schuyler is able to draw Maddie out of her work persona and get her sister to admit that she’s interested in Zach. Schuyler decides Maddie needs a total make over. Loved the chapter when the sisters go shopping. Maddie comes home with a new hairstyle, designer clothes and a makeover! The new looks give Maddie the confidence that she needs to pursue her work and personal goals.

Zach McCarter is a complex character. His story unfolded bit by bit as the two week contest neared its deadline. Zach is completive by nature and he will go to any length to convince buyer to list with him. Adored that he rented a truck, wore jeans and a Stetson hat to land a ranch listing and that Maddie caught him in his “costume.”

The competition between hard working Maddie and smooth talking Zach showcases Ms. Thompson’s descriptive writing style and her fabulous dialogue. The author’s use of the sister vibe throughout the story endears Maddie (and Schuyler) to the reader Loved that the author introduced the tell me one more thing about you theme early in the story. This enabled Maddie and Zach to share and confide in each other. As the competition reaches the finish line, how will Zach react when Maddie asks him one more thing?

Looking forward to Ms Thompson’s next novel—love her characters and their journeys !

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the author

Susan's Review of Melissa Foster's Embracing Her Heart

Grace and Reed finally get a second chance at a first love!

EMBRACING HER HEART

The Bradens and Montgomerys

Pleasant Hill ~ Oak Falls, Book 1

Melissa Foster

Releasing April 17, 2018

World Literary Press

Leaving New York City and returning to her hometown to teach a screenplay writing class seems like just the break Grace Montgomery needs. Until her sisters wake her at four thirty in the morning to watch the hottest guys in town train wild horses and she realizes that escaping her sisters’ drama-filled lives was a lot easier from hundreds of miles away. To make matters worse, she spots the one man she never wanted to see again—ruggedly handsome Reed Cross.

Reed was one of Michigan’s leading historical preservation experts, but on the heels of catching his girlfriend in bed with his business partner, his uncle suffers a heart attack. Reed cuts all ties and returns home to Oak Falls to run his uncle’s business. A chance encounter with Grace, his first love, brings back memories he’s spent years trying to escape.

Grace is bound and determined not to fall under Reed’s spell again—and Reed wants more than another taste of the woman he’s never forgotten. When a midnight party brings them together, passion ignites and old wounds are opened. Grace sets down the ground rules for the next three weeks. No touching, no kissing, and if she has it her way, no breathing, because every breath he takes steals her ability to think. But Reed has other ideas…

Don't miss the next in series! 

Pre-order today!

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.

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Embracing Her Heart has it ALL!!

It’s a sweet, second chance romance filled with captivating characters set in a small town in Virginia. Melissa Foster superbly blends the love of family, career pressures and new beginnings in this novel.

A successful playwright and producer, Grace has returned home to teach a three-week playwriting course at her sister’s bookstore. Returning to Oak Falls provides workaholic Grace with a much needed break from her stressful job and a chance to spend time with her parents and sisters. She never expected to find her high school boyfriend Reed repairing her parent’s front porch much less feel the same physical attraction towards him!

Reed sold his business in Michigan after being burned by his business partner and girlfriend. He decides to return to Virginia when he learns that his uncle has had a heart attack. Reed is looking forward to working with his uncle and to resume his career, renovating historical buildings in Oak Falls.

Grace and Reed are provided a second chance to explore their relationship in Embracing Her Heart. After ten years, the couple’s chemistry sizzles but they have a new set of problems to work through. As Grace spends time with Reed, her family and with her writing group, she realizes that by focusing on her career she has missed out on a lot of life’s every day pleasures. She looks at her small town with a new appreciation. Reed’s conversations with Grace about her career and life in New York provide insight to Grace’s character. Reed figures out that Grace is conflicted about her career in New York but is unsure what steps she needs to take to focus on writing.

Reed decides to win Grace’s heart by romancing her. Loved the chapter where he packs a picnic dinner and the couple watch a movie outside the Majestic Theater. Grace is overwhelmed by his gesture because he remembered how special this spot was to them. Reed is surprised when a person from his past pays him an unexpected visit. The visit brings up a lot of raw emotions for Reed.

The secondary characters add so much color and life to this novel! Each character was well developed and added to the storyline. Loved Grace’s parents, Reed’s aunt and uncle and my favorite Sophie’s grandmother, Nana. There is angst and conflict in the novel but, the author chooses to focus is on the enduring love and passion between Grace and Reed. This choice drew me into the story immediately and I read the book in one sitting.

Embracing Her Heart is a warm, feel good love story and holds a special place on my keeper shelf!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by Publisher

Click here to read the first chapter of Embracing her Heart!

Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh

Slightly Dangerous

by Mary Balogh

☆☆☆☆☆

I wish I could give the Bedwyn Slightly series

a hundred stars. It is one of the only series I

have read and reread over and over.

I never fail to fall in love with this family and

the entire series again.

When it comes here to this last one, it is the

story of Wulfric. Duke of Bewcastle. You have

gotten to know him very well through the

stories. He is an important part of the lives

of everyone. Everyone. As most that dont

know him, even some that slightly know him

think he is heartless and cruel.

"And infatuated be damned. He was near to
being blinded by his attraction to her. He 
was in love, damn it all. He disliked her,
he resented her, he disapproved of almost
everything about her, yet he was head over
ears in love with her, like a foolish
schoolboy."
 

There have been clues throughout the series

as to exactly what is inside the Duke of Bewcastle.

All the clues fall into place. Here in the final story.

 I am always surprised at just how

much I fall in love with Wulfric.

Again.

This is the only series I always recommend

to anyone that loves to read historical romance.

I have purchased these books myself

Review by Lisa Hutson