Susan's Review of Tempted by Love--Melissa Foster-Steeles of Silver Island Book 1

Years ago, bestselling author Jack “Jock” Steele lost his girlfriend and baby in a horrific accident that drove a wedge between Jock and his family, keeping him from sharing a devastating secret. An aging philanthropist saved him from the brink of despair, and for a decade Jock cared for his ailing friend who became his family. Now his friend has passed away and left him a fortune—on the condition that he publishes another book. Jock is floundering, unsure how to rebuild the life he’d walked away from, much less find his muse, have another relationship with a woman, or even think about having a family of his own. But he can’t get his sweet, sexy new friend, single-mother Daphne Zablonski out of his head, and her adorable toddler must know something he doesn’t, because she wraps her tiny fingers around his heart and won’t let go.

Daphne has been through the wringer with her ex-husband and doesn’t believe true love is in the cards for her. Friends she can handle, but letting a man see her mom bod naked? Especially someone as strikingly handsome and unbelievably sexy as Jock? No, thank you. Besides, she has a toddler to chase after and enough fictional boyfriends to fill her lonely nights. If only her book boyfriends could make her body tingle the way one look from her mysterious neighbor does.

As Jock and Daphne’s friendship turns to something too tempting to deny, their lives take an unexpected turn. Can a man who has lost everything find redemption with a woman who has everything to lose? And then there’s that secret…

Melissa Foster pairs single mom Daphne Zablonski and enigmatic author Jock Steele in Tempted by Love.

There is so much to love about Daphne and Jock— their off the charts chemistry, conversations filled with laughter, emotion and honesty and the unconditional love of a small child. I love that Jock “gets” Daphne—he adores her sweet personality and sense of humor, and appreciates her curves. Most of all, he understands that Daphne is devoted to her daughter Hadley. Jock knows they are a package deal and he needs to step up his game to win them over.

Daphne is an intelligent, compassionate woman who is trying her best to focus on her child, career and friends. Daphne’s happily ever after was shattered when her ex-husband decided that children weren’t part of his plan. I loved that Daphne was a strong, centered character who put her event planning career on hold to move home to be with her family after Hadley was born.

Jock and Daphne’s story is heartbreaking at times. They have a lot of challenges and both characters needed each other’s strengths to move forward. Loved that Hadley stole so many scenes and that she loved Jock with her whole heart as this added humor and compassion to the storyline.

Melissa Foster perfectly blends emotion, angst and passion in this engaging novel of second chances.

I highly recommend Tempted by Love and look forward to the next Silver Island 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.

The Highlanders Excellent Adventure by Shana Galen

The Highlanders Excellent Adventure

by Shana Galen

★★★★★

It's another racing romance from the wonderful

Survivors Series. In this story, #8 of the series,

you get a rocking adventure with two couples! 

The Highlanders Excellent Adventure is filled with

 just that, adventure!  When your life isn't going as

you wish, sometimes you have limited ways to do 

something about it.  But if you're a smart, bold 

woman, you can take matters into your own hands. 

Ines and Emmeline do just that. They are each 

struggling to get their lives moving in the direction

they want. Separately, they take action. In the

process, they find themselves on an exciting trip

into Scotland. 

There is a lot of story in this book. I am a slow reader.

But I kept finding I had to read faster and faster to 

keep up with all the action. The bold women. The

crazy, brave men. A surprise dog. A friendly gunshot. 

A runaway carriage. The story is proof that love 

simply cannot be halted. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

Susan's Review of Caught Up In You-Claire Hastings Indigo Royal Resort Series #2

Leona Filipe loves her job. As the head of housekeeping at the luxurious Indigo Royal Resort on St. Thomas, USVI, she has seen it all and has the wild stories to prove it. She works with her best friends, is close enough to see her family often, and has the perfect friends-with-benefits relationship. Life is pretty damn amazing. Except for the two weeks each year that Cullen Cruz stays at the resort. He is the only man who can get under her skin. But that is all he’s getting under. She made that mistake years ago, and it will never happen again. 

Fresh off the news of his “retirement” from football, Cullen Cruz cannot wait to get to the Indigo Royal for his annual retreat before returning to England to figure out what’s next. Only this year, it’s been turned into a “working vacation” by his agent, who volunteered Cullen to run a skills camp for local kids. While that wouldn’t normally sit well, extending the trip to teach some kids how to kick a ball does mean two more weeks getting to see the woman he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about since their first, and last, encounter ten years ago. 

When fate forces these two to confront what happened between them that night all those years ago, they find that there is more to each other than they realized, and that maybe they don’t annoy each other as much as they thought...

Are you looking for a fabulous end of summer read?

Set in in the Virgin Islands, Claire Hastings’ Caught Up In You is the perfect Labor Day weekend read. This second chance story has all the feels- a lush tropical setting, an engaging, relatable couple and a sensuous romance.

At first I wasn’t too sure how the pairing of housekeeper Leona Filipe and soccer star Cullen Cruz would work out. Claire Hasting’s descriptive voice and spot on storytelling brought these characters to life for me. Cullen and Leona are multifaceted characters. The author dug deep to provide the readers with a glimpse of Cullen’s past and contrasted with his playboy, soccer star image. Leona loves her job at the Indigo Royal and its perks but, her family and friends mean everything to her. The chemistry between the couple is sizzling hot and I loved their heartfelt, humorous and sexy conversations!

Caught Up In You is fast-paced and well written. Cullen and Leona’s story captivated me from the first page. I enjoyed this trip to the Indigo Royale and enjoyed catching up with Drea, Kyle, Dawson, Maeve and the uncles. Locking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the Author

Claire Hastings is a walking, talking awkward moment. She loves Diet Coke, gummi bears, the beach, and books (obvs). When not reading she can usually be found hanging with friends at a soccer match or grabbing food (although she probably still has a book in her purse). She and her husband Drew live in Atlanta with their fur-child Denali.

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