Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Susan's Review of A Love Like Ours by Melissa Foster


A Romance with All the Right Moves!


LOVE LIKE OURS
Sugar Lake #3
Melissa Foster
Releasing Sept 11, 2018
Montlake


One wrong move, and she meets a guy with all the right ones…

Talia Dalton lives her life on cruise control. Despite her successful career as a professor, she prefers protecting her broken heart to taking chances. She’s calm, cool, collected, and steady. Until the morning she takes her eyes off that familiar road and almost runs over the sexiest man she’s ever seen. It may not be the best way to start the day, but it might be the type of shake-up she needs.

Male dancer Derek Grant has goals, and nothing is going to get in the way of achieving them. As a graduate student and the sole caretaker of his ailing father, he hasn’t much time for relationships. Then Talia crashes into his life. Sweet, pretty—and so buttoned-up that he can’t wait to help her cut loose.

For Derek, falling in love was a beautiful accident waiting to happen. And it might be exactly what Talia needs—if she’s willing to let go of the past and embrace every surprise Derek has to offer.

LOVE LIKE OURS is being published by Montlake (an Amazon imprint) and won’t be available on other ebook retailers, but you can download a FREE Kindle ereader app to read it here, or order the paperback.


FALL IN LOVE AT SUGAR LAKE
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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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Love Like Ours by Melissa Foster took me by surprise! I read this sensitive, emotional romance featuring college professor Talia Dalton and graduate student Derek Grant, in one afternoon. I adored Talia and Derek’s seemingly opposites attract romance, the importance of family and Mrs. Dalton’s magic love potion.

Professor Talia Dalton took one look at Derek Grant’s long hair, two- day stubble, bracelets and rings and assumes he’s not her type. She’s intrigued and turned on when she watches him dance but, runs out of the bar before his performance ends.

Their next conversation sets the tone for the novel:
“That’s what I do, not who I am.” He took a step back and said, “I misjudged you. I thought you saw beyond societal expectations and generalizations. I guess I was wrong.”

I loved that Derek wasn’t what Talia assumed; Talia was challenged to see Derek through her eyes and her experiences with him. Through conversations with Derek, she learns he is finishing up his Master’s degree in health administration; his father has early onset Alzheimer’s and he left a lucrative accounting career to care for his dad. Derek has a part time job bartending and dancing at a local bar. Dancing—yes dancing. His dancing is both a source of income for him and a source of discomfort for Talia.

Talia’s friendship and ensuing romance with Derek unfolds perfectly. Derek encourages Talia to step outside her comfort zone-they enjoying walking in the park, meeting his friends for dinner and a ski weekend. Talia understands that Derek has given up his dreams to care for his father and that being a caregiver is a 24/7 job. She encourages Derek to take time for himself- to give himself a well-deserved break.

The caregiving piece of this story and how it affects a person and their family resonated with me. One of the most touching scenes in the novel occurs when Derek and Talia visit an assisted living center. Derek’s struggle with caring for his father and trying to have a normal, healthy relationship with Talia is genuine and relatable. I could hear the struggle and frustration in his words as he tried to explain his feelings about his father to Talia. Talia asks him a very important question which told me that she loved Derek with all of her heart.

Acceptance, assumption and secret keeping are three powerful themes that Melissa Foster includes in Love Like Ours. The strength of Talia and Derek’s relationship is tested throughout the novel. I loved reading how the couple learned to communicate honestly and face their issues together. The couple’s struggles with work family and their relationship are real. The conclusion to the novel was perfect and I can’t wait to catch up with them in the next Sugar lake book!

The characters and the themes from Love Like Ours made a huge impression on me. Caretakers are truly unselfish people—they put their loved one first each and every time. Kudos for Melissa Foster for bringing the role of a caretaker to light in a sensitive, honest manner. Love Like Ours wasn’t what I expected—it was SO MUCH BETTER!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the publisher

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Susan's Review of One More Moment by Samantha Chase


Julian Grayson is taking a break
...from his cheating fiancée
...from his band
...from his life in the spotlight

Charlotte Clark is devoted to her work
...to save the world
...to help the homeless
...to get a broken man back on his feet

When Charlotte Clark offers to pay for Julian Grayson's coffee, the world-famous drummer assumes she wants something from him. But Charlotte has no idea who he is, and Julian can't resist keeping up the charade—being incognito is a novelty and a relief. He'll have to tell her...eventually. But as Charlotte cheerfully undertakes to transform his life, Julian realizes there's something about her that gives him what he hasn't felt in years: hope.






Do you believe that a random act of kindness can change your life?

Social worker Charlotte Clark pays it forward and buys coffee and muffins for the unkempt, cranky guy ahead of her in line at her local coffee shop. The man starts to argue with her and she smiles and responds ‘pay it forward.’ Charlotte has no clue that she’s bought Shaughnessy drummer Julian Grayson breakfast while Julian has no idea what ‘pay it forward means.’ Charlotte’s charity drew me into the story. She is genuine, compassionate person who loves the beach, her job and her community. I adored Charlotte and her desire to help people.

After leaving his cheating ex-fiancé at the altar, Julian is back in California after a three -month cross country trip. He’s angry, emotionally burned out and he’s avoiding his Shaughnessy band members; Riley, Matt and Dylan. He is so surprised that Charlotte doesn’t want something from him- an autograph, picture or a hookup. He is so jaded that he can’t accept a cup of coffee from someone without immediately thinking the worst.

People ask me why I read Samantha Chase’s novels. I ADORE her characters. I can connect with Ms. Chase’s honest, flawed characters. You might see a glimpse of your brother, sister, husband or best friend in her stories. Each character is unique and grows within the story. I connected with Charlotte and Julian’s story immediately. I loved watching this couple who seemed so very different fall in love. Loving Charlotte brought out the best in Julian. I loved the scene when he asked Charlotte what she would do if she had an entire day off. He made her dreams of reading at the beach come true; a simple but heartfelt gesture. The couple has obstacles to overcome. Julian needs to acknowledge his feelings towards his ex-fiancé and move forward. Most importantly, Julian needs to accept that Charlotte loves him; not what his money can buy her.

One More Moment is so much more than a rock band book. This novel tackles several social issues. Homelessness, unemployment, trust, communication and commitment are integral pieces of the storyline. Samantha Chase’s strong narrative voice shines in this story as Julian struggles with anger, loss and self-doubt. Even though the chemistry between the couple is off the charts, falling in love doesn’t come easy for Charlotte and Julian. Their struggles are real and their journey had several unexpected twists and turns.

If you are looking for a book with all the feels… one click ONE MORE MOMENT! I am sure you will adore this compassionate character driven story!

I enjoyed each of the Band OnThe Run novels. Each book tackled a tough subject – ill-advised career decisions, drunk driving, anger and avoidance—and wove in humor, compassion and love. I connected with each character and became immersed in their journeys. I recommend each one of the books within the series

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Book purchased on Amazon






Shaughnessy Brothers: Band on the Run Series:
One More Kiss (Book 1)
One More Promise (Book 2)
One More Moment (Book 3)

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Hanover House by Brenda Novak - Audible edition

Hanover House
by Brenda Novak
Audible edition
☆☆☆☆☆
 
This one is outside my normal reading box. I rarely go
outside my typical romance.
Hanover House does have romance. But it is in the
background. The main story is a thrilling mystery.
So many twists and turns.
Brenda Novak has written this one to immerse the
reader into Evelyn Talbot. Her life. Her world.
And Hilltop, Alaska.
 
Hanover House is only about 4 1/2 hours. Which is
pretty short for audible listening. But it is really well
done and a fantastic listen!
Hanover House has its own story. Just enough to
make you run, not walk, to get the next part.
 
 
I bought my copy from Audible.com
Review by Lisa Hutson