Susan's Christmas Past Review of Christmas at Two Love Lane

My review of Christmas at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer was first published last year in 2017. I noticed that it is on sale right now. You won't want to miss this one, it’s one of my favorites - I loved Deacon and Macy's story--and the secondary chararcters were awesome..think 4 corgis!

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

(This interview was from 2017)

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!!

USA Today bestselling author Kieran Kramer writes fun romance novels for St. Martin's Press. SECOND CHANCE AT TWO LOVE LANE is on sale August 28, 2018! A former journalist and English teacher, Kieran's also a game show veteran, karaoke enthusiast, and general adventurer. She lives where she grew up-in the Lowcountry of South Carolina-with her family. Find her on Instagram (her favorite place to hang out), as well as on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and at https://kierankramer.com.

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

Review of The Mysterious Lord Millcroft

I finished reading The Mysterious Lord Millcroft by Virginia Heath and I immediately wanted to read it all over again. Clarissa and Seb light up the page with their journey to happily ever after. This book has it all, terrific characters, romance, intrigue, witty dialogue and humor.

The Mysterious Lord Millcroft is the first of a new series The King's Elite by Virginia Heath. Clarissa and Sebastian are minor character from her previous series The Wild Warriners. (You have to read that series too! It's amazing.) If you want to know how Virginia came up with using these side character she has a blog on her website titled: When a Side Character Insists on Being a Hero. 

Seb Leatham has moved to the top of my favorite hero list.  He is the leader of the King's Elite Invisibles and poor Seb really doesn't want to be center stage.  And Clarissa? Clarissa was the incomparable sister of Isabella from A Warriner to Tempt Her that I really couldn't imagine as a heroine. Boy did Virginia Heath prove me wrong, she is not only an amazing heroine I feel in love with her character just as much as Sebastian. 

Fans of Julia Quinn will love Virginia Heath. Go buy this book, read it and remember why you fell in love with historical romance. You don't have to read The Wild Warriners first, but why wouldn't you? 

Check out Virginia Heath's Facebook page for fun updates from her sweetheart Trevor and behind the scene glimpses into her writing life. 

Review by Kixcatmom aka Gayle Cochrane

I was lucky enough to meet Virginia Heath at Historical Romance Retreats in 2017 and recently in 2018. She is amazing in person. 

Susan's Review of The Good, the Bad and the Duke-Cavensham Heiresses Book 4 by Janna MacGregor

A lady with a noble mission. A duke looking for redemption. A forbidden love that cannot be denied…

Lady Daphne Hallworth is ready to celebrate the holidays with her family. But when they accidentally leave her home alone, Daphne uses the time to work on her dream—opening a home for unwed mothers. But her quest isn’t problem-free: She’s in a battle to win the property for the home against her brother’s best friend-turned-enemy, Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart. And that’s not all: someone has stolen her personal diary, which holds secrets that could devastate her family. Daphne has always harbored private feelings for the man her family scorns…though perhaps striking a bargain with the handsome Duke will solve both their problems?

Paul, long considered good for nothing, aims to open a hospital to honor his brother and restore his reputation. So when a conflict over the land brings him straight into Daphne’s life, they make a deal: He will help her find her diary if Daphne can change her family’s opinion of him. But before he can win her family’s affection, he has to win hers first. Maybe love was the answer to their family feud all along?

I adored The Good, the Bad and the Duke! The hero is trying to atone for his past mistakes and finds an unlikely ally in his ex- best friend’s sister. Clever dialogue, intrigue, and a Christmas setting add to his superbly written, sensuous regency romance.

The prologue immediately drew me into the story. Lord Paul Barstowe helps nine- year old Lady Daphne Hallworth save a baby magpie from being the family cat’s dinner. The prologue is important because the reader gets a glimpse into Paul’s character and a hint that Daphne sees Paul as more than her brother’s best friend. Lady Daphne Hallworth is not amused. Her family accidently left her home alone in London during the Christmas holidays. Daphne is determined not to be forgotten again. Daphne visits her solicitor to inquire about a property for her charity when her reticule containing her journal is stolen. Daphne chases the thief to Reynolds Gambling Establishment where she sees Paul, now the Duke of Southart.

Paul saves Daphne from possible ruin by saying that Lady Moonbeam is his escort. Loved the reason why Paul calls Daphne Lady Moonbeam; he noticed her hair and eyes and he acknowledges that Daphne is a beautiful woman, not just his former friends little sister. Daphne explains to Paul that her reticule has been stolen. Paul agrees to return to Reynolds and look for it in the morning if Daphne will help him mend fences with her brother. The enduring connection between Paul and Daphne intrigued me because Paul was no longer on speaking terms with Daphne’s brother, Alexander, the Marquis of Pembrooke. Janna MacGregor does a fabulous job balancing Paul’s past actions with his desire to help Daphne and become a better man.

Paul’s past actions were influenced by his relationship with his father. To get his father’s attention, he acted out, gambled and caused trouble. Loved that Paul’s father continued to plague him after he died. Robbie, Paul’s brother, understood why Paul acted out and made promise to try to be a better person before he died. Paul is home alone for the holidays as his family members have died.

It was great fun to see Paul struggle with his attraction to Daphne especially when they were at the gaming hall. The chemistry between the couple sizzled off the pages. He saw Daphne as a strong woman who wanted to honor her late sister’s memory. Paul understood that working on the charity would help Daphne work through her grief because he was still grieving for his brother. Loved the couples witty banter and I adored when Paul decided to court Daphne.

The fast-paced storyline kept me reading. Loved the element of intrigue surrounding the reticule and its contents played an important role in the plot. There are several surprising plot twists and turns which surprised me. Janna MacGregor’s writing style evokes passion, emotion and understanding. Lady Margaret stole the show when she realized Paul had no friends or family. She offers him her kitten so he won’t be alone. Daphne shows strength of character when she speaks up to her brother and tell him that Paul sees her—he understands her in a way her family cannot.

The Good, the Bad, and the Duke has all the feels; the characters, their romance, the complex plot are perfectly written. And the powerful message of forgiveness is appropriate during the holiday season.

Janna MacGregor is a new- to- me author. After reading Paul and Daphne’s story, I bought her back list and read each one. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the publisher

Following the doctor’s cheerful announcement of triplets, the first thing Janna MacGregor did was pick her darling husband off the floor. The second thing she did was make a decision about what to do with all her newfound free time. Take her word for it, mandatory bed rest can skew one’s perceptions. During her sojourn in bed, Janna remembered her attorney-husband’s sage advice that successful attorneys always have the last word in an argument. Taking these wise words to heart, she became an attorney and soon was managing partner of his law firm. She is certain he and their triplets rue the day he ever made that comment.

After living in a variety of Midwestern cities, she settled in Kansas City Missouri, the crown jewel of the Midwest and home of her favorite team, the Kansas City Royals. Through all her wanderings, she has always found time to read passionate, sweeping romances. It didn’t take long for her to decide to add Author on her resume. Practicing law by day, she writes sexy historicals set in the Regency period whenever she is not in court arguing those last words.

Join her and escape in stories about compelling and powerful heroines meeting and falling in love with their equally matched heroes. Remember—every romance should be messy, carnal and forever.

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