Susan's Review of Healing the Doctor's Heart by Cindy Kirk

Cindy Kirk’s Healing the Doctor’s Heart is an amazing story of second chances.

Set in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the novel features pediatrician Kate McNeal and builder Joel Dennes. Kate McNeal has a secret, a secret that she’s finding very hard to keep. She moved to Jackson Hole two years ago to join a local pediatric practice. She has a small circle of friends, has dated but has not found anyone special. Kate keeps running onto Joel and his nine year old daughter Chloe.

Kate and Joel are attracted to each other. Kate is aware that she and Joel’s late wife Amy are as different as night and day. Kate is painfully shy and she dresses to the nines for self-confidence and always wears high heels. Amy was outgoing and wore conservative clothes. I enjoyed Joel’s struggle with his attraction towards Kate—he adored his late wife. His feelings were raw and filled with emotion and very relatable.

Joel brings Chloe to Kate’s office because she fell and hit her head. Loved that Cindy Kirk was able to portray a mother’s concern from a father’s distress in this chapter. The relationship between the three characters changes as Kate provided some perspective to Chloe’s behaviors and fears. She understands Chloe’s feelings and works to find common ground between father and daughter.

I loved how the relationship between the couple progressed and that Kate’s former boyfriend showed up whenever Joel and Kate got cozy. Joel and Kate’s relationship changes when Chloe is invited for a two week out of town vacation. Loved that they approached “dealing with their attraction” as a business arrangement because both of them were afraid to get hurt.

The no strings arrangement quickly heats up –and I loved reading how both characters came to terms with their feelings. The sexual chemistry between the couple is off the charts. Kate fears her past may come between them. And Joel isn’t quite ready to let go of his feelings for his first wife. I loved the fast paced conclusion of this story-its filled will compassion, forgiveness and love.

If you are looking for a feel good story to read – then this is the book for you! The relationship between Kate, Joel and Chloe will tug at your heartstrings!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the author

Kisses and Scandal by Shana Galen - Part of a Survivors Anthology

Kisses and Scandal

Part of a Survivors Anthology

by Shana Galen

★★★★★

Kisses and Scandal is the newest story in

the latest Shana Galen Anthology. These are

the friends and relatives of the characters in

the Survivors Series. 

Philomena is the daughter of a duke. She is 

quite beautiful. Phil has been hopeful for some 

time now. Hopeful to fall into a love story. She

knows it can happen. She has seen it happen!

But it might be too late for her. She knows her 

duty. Philomena must marry a man of 
substance. Money and status. She knows all that.
But is it too much to ask for a man that 
she can love as well? One who will love her?

James Finnegan is a lowly footman. Of course,
that is not what Lady Philomena sees when she
looks at James. She sees the love of her heart.
Handsome and sweet. James can make her laugh 
at the same time he makes her blood run warm.

Over time, James finds that he feels the same way. 
Unfortunately, during that time, James finds himself
in a spot. While it is a dangerous spot for him, it is 
also set to be a terrible spot for Lady Philomena. 

Can they find a way to keep James safe at the 
same time keeping Philomena safe? Because of 
their enormous differences in stature, they can 
never go any further with their feelings.
Or can they? 

Review by Lisa Hutson  

Susan's Review of Bayside Fantasies by Melissa Foster

Tegan Fine has never had a plan—life, business, or otherwise. But she’s always had goals—to laugh daily and to pay it forward as often as she is able, just like her favorite uncle always did. After inheriting her great-uncle’s amphitheater, Tegan makes a risky move to a charming small town on Cape Cod to carry on her uncle’s legacy and hopefully expand the business with her new friend, Harper. If only she could stop bumping into a certain arrogant, witty, and excruciatingly hot businessman who tweaks her nerves and invades her every thought. Including her late-night fantasies.

Self-professed workaholic Jett Masters never slows down. He lives life with no attachments—except to his clients, to whom he gives his all. A reluctant trip to his hometown has him itching to shake the ghosts of his past and get back to spinning deals and adding to his investments. But when he comes face-to-face with a gorgeous, handsy woman who is quite possibly the snarkiest and most disorganized person he’s ever met, sparks fly, and his sharp mind stumbles. He doesn’t even know her name, but he can’t get her out of his mind.

A chance encounter turns into a wild, sexy night, and their chemistry is off the charts—even if their ideals, and their lives, are worlds apart. Neither Jett nor Tegan is looking for more. But when they are trapped together in torrential weather, they work side by side in the aftermath, and every passionate kiss deepens their connection. Secrets are shared, trust is built, and no promises dare be made. As their lives move on, lines begin to blur, hearts get hurt, and their true selves come into focus. Tegan and Jett are left wondering if they make the perfect storm, or if they’ve reached the end of their bayside fantasy.

Melissa Foster is known for creating sensuous stories filled with friends, family and humor. In Bayside Fantasies, the characters drew me into the story. As a northeaster heads towards Cape Cod, Tegan Fine and Jett Masters meet. Their opposites attract romance develops as the rain and winds pound the Cape.

Loved that Tegan Fine had a heart of gold. A bit of a free spirit, Tegan moves to Cape Cod to run her late uncle’s outdoor theater. Tegan is familiar with the programs and realizes she needs to step up her organizational skills to develop a marketing strategy, create a website and handle all of the administrative details. I loved that Tegan was determined to succeed even though her organizational skills were a bit unusual-her business plan was written on sticky notes not on a word document or spreadsheet.

Jett Masters is a workaholic. He grew up on the Cape but never has the time to visit his parents or brother for more than a day at a time. A skilled negotiator, his life is talking on his cell phone, working on his next acquisition and making more money than he can spend. I wondered what drove Jett—why was he so business focused? Jett and Tegan meet at a small restaurant and there was a definite connection between feisty Tegan and buttoned up Jett.

The hurricane brings Tegan and Jett together when they meet at a bachelorette party. Loved that Jett was so attracted to Tegan. Loved the scenes when they were dancing…slow, seductive and oh so sexy. Tegan and Jett spend the night together and decide that they want to try a friends with benefits relationship.

Jett’s relationship with his father is key to understanding was drives him. Melissa Foster’s choice to write Jett as a truly flawed protagonist captivated me. There were a few times I thought Tegan was going to get her heart broken but then Jett surprised me. Loved how Tegan and Jett’s relationship developed; they texted and used Facetime to connect when Jett was out of town. Jett supported Tegan’s desire to continue her uncles business while Tegan understood Jett’s need to connect with his family and respected his desire, his need to excel in his work.

Bayside Fantasies is a sensuous romance between two people who weren’t looking for love. An unexpected northeaster brought the couple together which provides them with a chance of building a relationship. Loved the parallels between Jett and Tegan’s love story and Jett’s decision to rebuild his relationship with his father.

If you are looking for a perfect storm romance where the stars magically align for a couple-then Bayside Fantasies is for you! Tegan is a force of nature—kind, caring and down to earth. When she meets Jett lightning strikes and the result is another fabulous Melissa Foster novel.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the author

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.

Read the first chaper HERE!