Susan's review of Thankful in Good Hope by Cindy Kirk

Keeping this secret could cost him everything…

Trinity McConnell came to Good Hope expecting to reconnect with a former colleague, not a former fling. But within hours of arriving in the picturesque small town, she’s face-to-face with Ryder Goodhue, the man who gave her the hottest, most romantic night of her life.

Ryder has never believed in fate, yet there’s simply no way to explain Trinity’s appearance in Good Hope other than meant to be. Since the night they met, he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her. Now, he’s determined to show Trinity how perfect their relationship can be.

The connection between Trinity and Ryder is as powerful as ever, and soon they are swept up in a whirlwind romance. But when an orphaned eleven-year-old girl with Ryder’s name on her birth certificate turns up, their newfound romance is put on hold. A former foster child herself, Trinity knows what it’s like to be a little girl alone in the world. She’s happy to help Ryder make his new daughter his top priority. But there’s something Ryder isn’t telling her. While revealing the truth could have disastrous consequences…keeping this secret could cost Ryder the one woman he can’t live without.



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Trinity McConnell and Ryder Goodhue’s story is a powerful story of compassion. Cindy Kirk’s choice to write about child abuse and the way she crafted this piece of the storyline drew me into this novel. The writing is fantastic and I could not put the book down.

Trinity and Ryder were introduced in Sparks Fly in Good Hope. They met and had a brief affair. Months later, they meet at an election party in Good Hope. Trinity sees Ryder across the bar and walks over to talk to him. The couple has an intense connection—and this is noted by Gladys and Oaklee, two of the town’s matchmakers—and spend the night together.

The couple’s romance is interrupted when Ryder learns that his friend Jenna has died. He is shocked to learn that she has a daughter, he has been named as her guardian….and that Ryder’s name is listed on Zoe’s birth certificate. Ryder is put in a difficult position and he keeps a secret to himself.

I loved the plot choices that Cindy Cook made in this story. As a reader-I was torn. Trinity and Ryder faced many difficult situations in the novel. Trinity understood Ryder’s decision to bring Zoe to Good hope. After her mother died, she spent time in foster care—Trinity emphasized and showed compassion towards her. Zoe becomes Ryder’s priority and the secret he’s keeping is in danger of being revealed. Could the secret tear the couple apart?

Thankful in Good Hope is the perfect book to read as the holidays approach. The characters and their journey made me appreciate my family and friends who share our table during the holidays. Thankful in Good Hope features many of my favorite characters and the storyline presents a serious issue in a thoughtful, relatable way. The novel is filled with compassion, love, hope and forgiveness.

Cindy Kirk’s engaging characters and their journeys make each of the Good Hope novels unique. The author balances love, family and drama in each story. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the author

Susan's Review of When the Marquess Mine by Caroline Linden

In the game of love…

Georgiana Lucas despises the arrogant and cruel Marquess of Westmorland even before learning that he's won the deed to her friend Kitty's home in a card game. Still, Georgiana assures Kitty the marquess wouldn't possibly come all the way to Derbyshire to throw them out—until he shows up, bloody and unconscious. Fearing that Kitty would rather see him die, Georgiana blurts out that he's her fiancé. She'll nurse the hateful man back to health and make him vow to leave and never return. The man who wakes up, though, is nothing like the heartless rogue Georgiana thought she knew…

You have to risk it all
He wakes up with no memory of being assaulted—or of who he is. The bewitching beauty tending him so devotedly calls him Rob and claims she's his fiancée even as she avoids his touch. Though he can't remember how he won her hand, he's now determined to win her heart. But as his memory returns and the truth is revealed, Rob must decide if the game is up—or if he'll take a chance on a love that defies all odds.



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Caroline Linden’s When the Marquess was Mine is the third novel in the Wagers of Sins series. It features socialite Georgiana Lucas and Rob, the Marquess of Westmoreland. I adored the well-paced romance that developed between Georgiana and Rob; loved the couple’s conversations and their chemistry sizzled. There was one slight problem—Georgie was engaged to someone else!

Sir Charles Winston has joined a card game at the Vega Club. He’s in over his head at a game of loo, wagers his home and loses to it to Robert Churchill-Gray, the Marquess of Westmorland. Georgina Lucas is enjoying a long visit with her friend Kitty in the country; the visit is interrupted when an urgent letter arrives from Kitty’s husband. Sir Charles has written to his wife to warn her that the Marquess may arrive at their country home-and warns her not to let him in.

Georgiana tells Kitty that the Marquess would not travel to the country to evict them-he’s too busy gambling and drinking in London. Georgiana is surprised to find Westmorland beaten, bloody and left for dead. She brings him to Kitty’s home and tells everyone that he’s her fiancé, Viscount Sterling. This ruse worked because Rob is suffering from amnesia. Loved that this plot twist put Georgiana and Rob is close company; Georgiana realized that she had misjudged Rob and was falling in love with him. Caroline Linden’s descriptive writing shines as the couple falls deeply in love.

The arrival of Lord Thomas Churchill-Gray adds another layer to the complex storyline. Thomas has been searching for his brother. He confronts Georgiana and they agree to meet the next day. Rob recognizes his brother and understands that he is not Georgiana’s fiancée-he’s the evil Lord Westmoreland!

Loved the complication of Georgiana’s engagement to Sterling played in the novel. I had wondered if he was a fictional character because he was mentioned, but not seen. Sterling and Georgiana’s step brother, Alistair are keeping a secret that threatens her financial security. Loved that Georgiana’s friend Sophie devised a fabulous plan to bring down Alistair at the Vega Club. The conclusion to the novel is perfectly paced – and full of tension and intrigue. Tempers rose as the pot increased with each deal of the cards, fortunes were wagered and accusations were made when the winner claimed the pot.

I highly recommend When the Marquess was Mine! Kudos to Caroline Linden for creating an original story filled with passion, intrigue and a bit of wagering! And the conclusion is perfect for the couple—just perfect!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the Author

Bachelors of Bond Street (How to Brew a Perfect Kiss) by Shana Galen

Bachelors of Bond Street

How to Brew a Perfect Kiss

by Shana Galen

☆☆☆☆☆

 

Doesn't everyone love a book that gives you

three stories in one?? I surely do.

I just finished this anthology.

Bachelors of Bond Street

They are all connected by shops on Bond street.

Each with unique story.

My favorite of the three was by Shana Galen.

How to Brew a Perfect Kiss.

 

It is a wonderful romantic story of

Thomas Gaines and Raeni Sawyer.

Raeni is in a terrible way. Running from a

bad situation and the horrible people after her.

 

But Thomas has been in that place before.

He knows how it feels and he is now in

a position to help.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that Raeni is

beautiful, determined, tough and smart.

Will Thomas really be able to help?

Can she allow Thomas to put himself

in danger to help her?

Will she learn to serve in the

Bond Street Coffee & Tobacco shop??

 

Review by Lisa Hutson